Patrolman Fahey Jr. | Star #4194

Patrolman William Peter Fahey, Jr., Star #4194, aged 34 years, was a 9 year, 3 month, 18 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Field Services – Tactical Services: Unit 710 – Gang Crimes Enforcement South.

On February 9, 1982, at 2:03 p.m., Patrolmen William Peter Fahey and Richard J. O’Brien were on duty working beat 6162. They pulled over a brown 1978 Chevy Impala at 8110 South Morgan Street for failing to obey a stop sign. The driver of the vehicle was Jackie F. Wilson, age 21, of 11409 South May Street and seated next to him was his brother, Andrew Wilson age 29 of 11409 South May Street. It is alleged that at the time of the traffic stop, the brothers were on their way to free convicted cop murderer, Edgar Hope. According to eyewitness testimony, Jackie Wilson exited the vehicle before the officers approached. He began to argue with Officer O’Brien and refused to produce his driver’s license. Officer Fahey after noticing a suspicious object on Andrew Wilson ordered him to exit the vehicle. Once outside Officer Fahey attempted to place Andrew Wilson in custody and struggle ensued. During the struggle Officer Fahey was disarmed by Andrew Wilson who then proceeded to shoot Officer Fahey once. The bullet entered Officer Fahey’s head behind the left ear, fragmenting upon entry causing severe brain damage. Andrew Wilson then turned on Officer O’Brien shooting him three times in the chest. Jackie Wilson then noticed Officer O’Brien was still moving and shouted to his brother, “still up and about.“ Andrew Wilson then jumped onto their vehicle’s trunk lid and shot Officer O’Brien two more times, once in arm and once in the hip.

Following the shooting, the brothers jumped back into their car and drove off. For some unknown reason the murderers made a U-turn and returned to the scene of the crime where they proceeded to grab both officers’ firearms and then fled Southbound on Morgan Street making good their escape. Help was first summoned to the scene when a voice was heard over the police radio, “Emergency! Emergency! Two policemen have been shot at 81st and Morgan.“ It was later learned to be the voice of a witness to the shooting who ran to the squad car and grabbed the microphone when he saw the officers fall. The eyewitness testified, “The police officer [Fahey] had subdued him enough to the point where he could put the handcuffs on, and then the man [Andrew] reached around behind the officer and came up with a shiny pistol.”

Officer Fahey was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park by beat 672 where he fell into a coma and was pronounced dead at 11:14 a.m. on February 10, 1982. Officer O’Brien was also transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park by beat 672 and was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Birfe at 2:30 p.m. on February 9, 1982.

On February 13, 1982, the getaway car was recovered at 114th Street and May Avenue. Not far away from the Wilson’s residence. Officer moved in and the Wilson brothers were apprehended and arrested. The officers service revolvers were also recovered from their residence.

In 1983, Andrew Wilson was sentenced to death and Jackie Wilson was sentenced to life in prison without parole. They were later granted retrials on the grounds that they should have been initially tried separately. During the retrial, Jackie Wilson was convicted of first degree murder in Officer O’Brien’s death, but was acquitted of his part in Officer Fahey’s murder. Andrew Wilson was convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of armed robbery in the Death of the officers. On January 10, 2003, Governor George Ryan commuted Andrew Wilson’s sentence, along with 167 other inmates on death row, to life in prison. In 2007, Andrew Wilson died in prison.

Tragically Patrolmen William P. Fahey and Richard James O’Brien were shot and killed as they returned from Patrolman James Edward Doyle’s funeral who had been killed four days earlier. Patrolmen Richard James O’Brien and William Fahey were not regular partners. O’Brien’s regular partner was off sick and Fahey’s was filling in on a desk job for a furloughed policeman.

Officer Fahey was waked at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home located at 3737 West 79th Street. His funeral mass was held at Queen of the Universe Church located at 7114 South Hamlin Avenue. He was laid to rest on February 13, 1982 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 6, Lot –, Block 8H, Section V.

Patrolman William Peter Fahey, Jr., born October 18, 1947, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on October 23, 1972. He earned 19 Honorable Mentions and numerous Complimentary Letters during his career.

Officer Fahey served in the U.S. Army, was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Fahey was survived by his wife, Patricia P. (nee Walker); children: Erin Marie, age 4, Jamie Marie, age 1 and Krista Marie Feck, age12 and parents: Cecelia (nee Dowling) and William Peter, Sr.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #D044364.

On October 20, 1982, Officer Fahey’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 Fahey’s Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.

On October 18, 1982, In memory of his sacrifice the brand new Columbus Drive bascule bridge over the Chicago River was dedicated and officially opened. A dedication plaque was erected to be permanently displayed. The ceremony was held on what would have been Fahey’s 35th birthday. Attending the ceremony were Fahey’s parents, his widow Patricia and his three children: Erin, Jamie and Krista. Fahey’s mother placed a single rose alongside the plaque honoring her son during the ceremony.