Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: West Park Police Department

Served: Length of Service Unknown

Unit of Assignment / Detail: Motorcycle Division

District of Incident (Present Day): 012 - Near West

Cause of Death: Fall - Thrown from Motorcycle

Age at Time of Death: 38

Timeline


Date of Birth: 1877

Date of Appointment:

Date of Incident: 012 - Near West

End of Watch: 21 Nov 1915

Date of Interment: 24 Nov 1915

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery - Niles, Illinois
 Grave Location: Lot 28, Block S, Section 3
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-3

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 8

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 1, Line 46

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 36-E: 2

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Park Policeman Ludwig Rudolph Skala, Star #11, aged 38 years, was a veteran of the West Park Police Department, assigned to the Motorcycle Division.

On November 21, 1915, Officer Skala was on patrol on his police motorcycle. The officer was near the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Ashland Avenue when his motorcycle engine seized up. The abrupt stop of the motorcycle caused Officer Skala to be thrown from the motorcycle. He struck his head on the ground and was mortally injured. The officer was transported to Cook County Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving on November 21, 1915.

Officer Skala was waked at his residence located at 2856 South Millard Avenue. He was laid to rest on November 24, 1915 in St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, 6800 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 28, Block S, Section 3.

Park Policeman Ludwig Rudolph Skalae was born in 1877.

Officer Skalae was survived by his wife, Antoinette.

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

The West 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. Four park district police departments, Irving, Lincoln, West, and South were consolidated into the Chicago Park District Police Department. Fallen Officer of the West 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.