Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 23 years, 10 months, 11 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Bureau of Detectives - North Area: Unit 630 - Bureau of Detectives - Area North, Property Crimes Section
District of Incident (Present Day): 014 - Shakespeare
Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest
Age at Time of Death: 52
Timeline
Date of Birth: 10 Oct 1961
Date of Appointment: 26 Mar 1990
Date of Incident: 014 - Shakespeare
End of Watch: 06 Feb 2014
Date of Interment: 12 Feb 2014
Interment Details
Cemetery: Not Interred
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Cremated
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Not Enshrined
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Not Listed
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed
Officer Down Memorial Page: Not Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Detective Dennis James McLaughlin, Star #20493, aged 52 years, was a 23 year, 10 month, 11 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Detectives – North Area: Unit 630 – Bureau of Detectives – Area North, Property Crimes Section.
On February 6, 2014, Detective McLaughlin was working the 2nd watch in the 14th District with a coworker, Detective Steven J. Amatto. During the shift, Detective McLaughlin informed his partner that he needed to make contact with several victims in his case load because several phone attempts were unsuccessful. He informed his partner that he was going to use an unmarked squad car for the remainder of the tour. Detective McLaughlin proceeded outside to the parking lot to clear approximately three to five inches of snow from the vehicle. He returned to the office approximately 20 minutes later appearing to be winded and exhausted with a flush face. Detective McLaughlin took off his coat, sat down, and remarked that he needed to rest for a second. His partner asked if he was okay, but he replied that he needed to take a break before heading out to work his own case load. Detective Amatto then left the office on a separate assignment. Shortly after the exchange at 2:15 p.m., Detective McLaughlin walked into the office of Sergeant Felipe Reyes and complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. The Sergeant summoned help and sat the detective down. Shortly after Detective McLaughlin began convulsing and collapsed to the floor. CFD Engine #43 was first to arrive on scene and immediately began CPR. CFD Ambulance #32 was second to arrive on scene and by the time of their arrival the detective had stopped breathing. Detective McLaughlin was transported to St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:06 p.m. by Dr. Wynnstanley from an apparent heart attack.
Detective McLaughlin was waked at Colonial Wojciechowski Funeral Home located at 6250 North Milwaukee Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Juliana Catholic Church located at 7201 North Oketo Avenue. He was cremated on February 12, 2014 by Morgan Cremation Services, 24 West Lake Street, Northlake, Illinois.
Detective Dennis James McLaughlin, born October 10, 1961, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on March 26, 1990 and was issued Star #10111. On December 4, 1998, he was promoted to Detective and issued Star #20493. He earned 2 Department Commendations, 1 Problem Solving Award, 2 Attendance Recognition Awards, the 2009 Crime Reduction Award, the 2004 Crime Reduction Award, the NATO Summit Service Award, the Presidential Election Deployment Award, the Democratic National Convention Service Award, 16 Honorable Mentions and 8 Complimentary Letters during his career.
Detective McLaughlin was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Christine (nee McAuley); twin daughters, Carolyn Rose, age 10 and Lauren Sophie, age 10 and sister: Roseann (Matthew) Federico.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #HX141344.
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