Patrolman Darcy Jr. | Star #6444

Patrolman Martin Emmett Darcy, Jr., Star #6444, aged 52 years, was a 27 year, 1 month, 5 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 22nd District – Morgan Park.

On September 27, 1982, at 1:00 p.m., Officer Darcy and his partner, Patrolman Edward Ryan, were working beat 2273 patrolling the South Side Beverly neighborhood when they responded to a robbery-in-progress call. A gunman, Aaron Washington, alias Jesse Lee Anderson, had entered the Southtown Health Food store located at 2148 West 95th Street and demanded all the big bills from the register. The cashier, wife of the store’s manager, Emil Mahler, complied with the offenders demands and gave him the contents of the cash register. After Washington left, Mrs. Mahler alerted her husband who pursued the robber and was shot once in the abdomen but was not seriously injured. Washington then jumped into a gold Chevrolet and made good his escape.

Mr. Mahler was able to give a full description of Washington and his vehicle, to Officers Darcy and Ryan. While touring the area, the officers spotted a gold colored car matching the description given. They pursued the vehicle to a parking lot located at 95th Street and Western Avenue. Washington exited the vehicle and fled on foot to the nearby home of Kathleen Frantz, age 30, of 2637 West 97th Street. He gained entry to the home and ordered Frantz to hand over her car keys hoping to flee in a different vehicle. When Ms. Frantz didn’t cooperate, Washington shot her in the shoulder and fled out a back door. As Officer Darcy was walking in a gangway between the two houses, Washington spotted him as he fled the house and fired his weapon. Officer Darcy was struck once and fell to the ground mortally wounded. A neighbor, Michael Gasea, a part time Evergreen Park Police Officer, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene. He was able to assist Ms. Frantz, saving her from further harm. Officer Darcy was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital by CFD Ambulance #29 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Yario at 1:30 p.m. on September 27, 1982.

As Washington continued to flee, he encountered Patrolman Jerry Johnson, who was one of the many responding officers searching the area for Washington. Washington once again opened fire striking Johnson in the left side of his neck, right arm right side of his chest and in the middle of his back. Johnson was transported Little Company of Mary Hospital where he was treated and eventually released. He was left with neurological damage from the incident. While fleeing after shooting Officer Johnson, Washington engaged responding officers in a gun battle. He was shot four times and was killed.

Officer Darcy was waked at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home located at 4727 West 103rd Street. His funeral mass was held at St. Christina’s Catholic Church located at 11005 South Homan Avenue. He was laid to rest on October 1, 1982 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 4, Lot 13, Block 12, Section 50.

Patrolman Martin Emmett Darcy, Jr., born September 5, 1930, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 22 1955 and was issued Star #2154. On September 16, 1970, he was issued Patrolman Star #6444. He earned 11 Honorable Mentions and 3 Complimentary Letters during his career. Officer Darcy began his career in the Gresham District as a patrolman. In 1982, the 27 year veteran was nearing retirement and asked to be reassigned from clerical duties to patrol duties in the Morgan Park District. He wanted to end his career the way he had started it.

Officer Darcy served in the Armed Forces, was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and was Honorably Discharged. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Darcy was survived by his wife, Patricia (nee Costello); children: Martin Emmet, III, age 18, Patricia Mary Darcy, age 17; step-children: Christina Marie Fairbanks (nee Caden), age 31, Diane Marie Higgins (nee Caden), age 35 and Paula Michelle Cadan (CPD), age 33 and brother, Michael (CPD). He was preceded in death by his parents: Mary Q (nee Kelleher) and Emmett and sibling, Infant Darcy, age 0 months.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #D349254.

On October 20, 1982, Officer Darcy’s star was retired by Superintendent Richard Brzeczek and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Darcy’s Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.

On December 7, 1982, In memory of his sacrifice the Chicago Transit Authority’s River Road Rapid Transit Station, located at 5801 N River Road, Rosemont, IL was dedicated and named in Officer Darcy’s honor. A dedication plaque was erected to be permanently displayed.