Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: South Park Police Department

Served: 3 years*

Unit of Assignment / Detail: Unit of Assignment Unknown

District of Incident (Present Day): 022 - Morgan Park

Cause of Death: Struck - By Train

Age at Time of Death: 36

Timeline


Date of Birth: 1877

Date of Appointment: 1910

Date of Incident: 022 - Morgan Park

End of Watch: 28 Dec 1913

Date of Interment: 31 Dec 1913

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

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


Park Policeman Patrick T. Conway, Star # Unknown, aged 36 years, was a 3 year veteran of the South Park Police Department, Unit of Assignment Unknown.

On December 28, 1913, Officer Conway was off duty and on his way home from Hegewisch. Officer Conway had just come off a suburban passenger train and was walking across the tracks on the 1300 block of West 103rd Street. He was walking directly behind John Snekutis of Steger, Illinois. The two men were walking towards the streetcar line, Mr. Snekutis whistling while he walked. As Mr. Snekutis stepped onto the tracks Officer Conway caught sight of an Illinois Central passenger train, which was, headed straight for Mr. Snekutis. In a vain attempt, Officer Conway ran forward in an effort to push Mr. Snekutis to safety. Officer Conway underestimated the speed of the oncoming train and both men were struck and killed as it passed.

Officer Conway was waked at his residence located at 1220 West 104th Street. His funeral mass was held at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church located at 9837 South Throop Street. He was laid to rest on December 31, 1913 in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2755 West 111th Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Park Policeman Patrick T. Conway, born in 1877, received his Probationary Appointment to the South Park Police Department in 1910.

Officer Conway was a member of Calumet Court No. 138 Catholic Order of Foresters. He was survived by his wife, Delia (nee Mahoney); two children and siblings: James and Mrs. Deveny.

Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database case not found for this incident.

The South Park Police Department, in the City of Chicago, was disbanded on April 30, 1934. On May 1, 1934, the remaining officers were transferred to the Chicago Park District Police Department, which was organized on the same date. Three park district police departments, Lincoln, West, and South were consolidated into the Chicago Park District Police Department. Fallen Officer of the South Park Police Department are currently honored on the memorial wall of the Chicago Police Department as Chicago Police Officers. Their stars are displayed in the Honored Star Case located in the lobby of the Chicago Police Department at 3510 South Michigan Avenue.