Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 1 year, 11 months, 5 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 16 - Maxwell

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

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy

Age at Time of Death: 29

Timeline


Date of Birth: 16 Apr 1894

Date of Appointment: 02 May 1922

Date of Incident: 012 - Near West

End of Watch: 07 Apr 1924

Date of Interment: 11 Apr 1924

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery - Niles, Illinois
 Grave Location: Lot 292, Block --, Section 14
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-8

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 9

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 10

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 17-W: 3

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman William Frank Bunda, Star #3848, aged 29 years, was a 1 year, 11 month, 5 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 16 – Maxwell.

On March 31, 1924, at 9:55 p.m., Officer Bunda was on patrol and observed a citizen being chased out of an alley by three Italian men, John Pettitto, John Simonetti, and James Vitaliano. He stopped the men on the Southeast corner of Miller and Polk Streets. As he attempted to search them for concealed weapons, one assailant drew a revolver and fired. Officer Bunda was struck and returned fire, wounding Vitaliano incapacitating him. Officer Bunda, mortally wounded, was then able to detain the other two suspects until backup arrived. Bunda was then rushed to Cook County Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds seven days later on April 7, 1924. Vitaliano was taken to the Bridewell Hospital where he was treated and recovered.

On April 15, 1924, John Pettitto, John Simonetti, and James Vitaliano were held by the Coroner. On May 15, 1924, the Grand Jury returned No Bills on Simonetti and Vitaliano while a True Bill was returned on Pettitto. On November 26, 1924, Pettitto was acquitted by Judge Lynch.

Officer Bunda was laid to rest on April 11, 1924 in St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, 6800 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 292, Block –, Section 14.

Patrolman William Frank Bunda, born April 16, 1894, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on May 2, 1922.

Officer Bunda was survived by his wife, Mamie and child.

Incident recorded under Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database, Case #5796 and Case #7469.