Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: South Park Police Department

Served: Length of Service Unknown

Unit of Assignment / Detail: Motorcycle Division

District of Incident (Present Day): 003 - Grand Crossing

Cause of Death: Crash - Motorcycle (Pursuit)

Age at Time of Death: 44

Timeline


Date of Birth: 11 Apr 1874

Date of Appointment:

Date of Incident: 003 - Grand Crossing

End of Watch: 12 Sep 1918

Date of Interment: 16 Sep 1918

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
 Grave Location: Lot 160, Section 41
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-5

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 10

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 1, Line 54

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 60-E: 5

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Park Policeman Matthew J. Foley, Star #170, aged 44 years, was a veteran of the South Park Police Department, assigned to the Motorcycle Division.

On September 12, 1918, Officer Foley was in pursuit of a speeding vehicle near Jackson Park when he lost control of his police motorcycle. Officer Foley was rushed to Illinois Central Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later on the same day.

Officer Foley was waked at his residence located at 5545 South Union Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Visitation Catholic Church located at 843 West Garfield Boulevard. He was laid to rest on September 16, 1918 in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2755 West 111th Street, Chicago, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 160, Section 41.

Park Policeman Matthew J. Foley was born on April 11, 1874.

Officer Foley was a member of Division No. 10 Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was survived by his siblings: Peter, Thomas and Mrs. William Bulfin.

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.