Detective Friedman | Star #2619

Detective Morris Friedman, Star #2619, aged 46 years, was a 16 year, 11 month, 19 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Detective Bureau – Robbery Detail.

On June 25, 1945, Detective Friedman, while on patrol, with Sergeant Frank Pape and Patrolman Rudolph Friedl observed a suspicious automobile. Detective Friedman and the two other officers were traveling northbound on Clark Street when they observed the 1940 Ford convertible coupe driving Southbound at Illinois Street. The Ford had a 1945 Michigan license plate affixed and contained two men and one woman inside. Sergeant Pape motioned for the vehicle to stop, but his command was ignored and the Ford continued driving Southbound. The sergeant then instructed Officer Friedl to make a U-turn and head west on Illinois Street in pursuit. When the squad car reached LaSalle Street the Ford coupe was coming towards them at which time they forced it to the curb with the squad car.

The Ford barely slowed when one of the male occupants, Lyman Heiman, leapt from the vehicle and fled on foot Southbound on LaSalle Street and then turning Eastbound on Hubbard Street. Sergeant Pape ordered Detective Friedman and Officer Friedl to give chase; the sergeant gave Friedl one of his weapons. Sergeant Pape used the other weapon to subdue the remaining occupants of the Ford coupe. While in pursuit Detective Friedman fired two rounds into the air ordering Heiman to halt. Heiman did not heed the order and instead took cover behind a Cadillac sedan parked in front of 110 West Hubbard Street. Heiman then opened fire, firing two revolvers a .32 and .38 caliber, that he carried on his person. Detective Friedman returned fire, but was struck in his stomach which caused him to stumble and fall to the sidewalk, dyeing almost immediately. Officer Friedl was only a short distance away also returning fire with Heiman. Heiman ducked behind the Cadillac and exchanged gunfire with Friedl as they circled the car continuing to fire at each other. Five rounds went through the cars window and Friedl finally caught sight of Heiman as he attempted to slip around the Cadillac’s rear fender. Officer Friedl fired and struck Heiman in the head. Approaching Heiman’s fallen body, Freidl fired three more shots.

Sergeant Pape placed the other two occupants of the car, Edward “Bob Ross“ Ervin and Mrs. Louis Gregerson, in custody. Both were from Pontiac, Michigan and, with Heiman, had been involved in a number of robberies in Detroit, Dayton, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. They were turned over to the Indianapolis Police Department to face robbery charges.

Further investigation of Heiman’s past revealed that he was an ex-convict from the Detroit area. A World War II veteran, his discharge paper showed that he served with heroic distinction in the North African and Sicilian campaigns.

Detective Friedman was waked at a funeral home located at 5350 West North Avenue, his funeral mass was also held at the funeral home. He was laid to rest on June 29, 1945 in Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 Cermak Road, Forest Park, Illinois.

Detective Morris Friedman, born May 5, 1899, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on July 6, 1928. He earned 12 Credible Mentions, 6 Extra Compensations for Meritorious Conduct totaling $840.00 and posthumously The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in 1945.

Detective Friedman was a member of the Chicago Patrolman’s Club and the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association. He was survived by his wife, Rose (nee Worth) and two sons: Jack (USN), age 24 and George, age 18.

In June 1962, the police department honored Officer Friedman’s memory by naming the brand new M-2 police boat in the Department’s Marine Unit after him.