Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 6 years, 0 months, 10 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: 15th District - Austin

District of Incident (Present Day): 025 - Grand Central

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy

Age at Time of Death: 25

Timeline


Date of Birth: 16 Oct 1945

Date of Appointment: 11 Mar 1965

Date of Incident: 025 - Grand Central

End of Watch: 21 Mar 1971

Date of Interment: 24 Mar 1971

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Memory Gardens Cemetery - Arlington Heights, Illinois
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


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

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 12

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 24

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 24-E: 14

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: U.S. Army

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman Melvin Andrew Galloway, Jr., Star #13794, aged 25 years, was a 6 year, 0 month, 10 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 15th District – Austin Tactical Unit.

On March 21, 1971, at 1:45 a.m., Officer Galloway and his partners, Sergeant William Alexander, Patrolmen James Ahern and Patrick Crowley were working in plain clothes investigating an alleged prostitution ring inside the Sabre Cocktail Lounge located at 5611 West Grand Avenue. While inside the lounge, Officer Galloway observed Lester Anderson, age 23, of 155 North Central Avenue, staring at him. Galloway approached Anderson and asked “do I offend you?“ Anderson replied “No“ and as Galloway turned to leave, another man, Amzi Freeman, Jr., age 26, of 5507 West Gladys Avenue, insulted Galloway. A fight broke out between Galloway and Freeman when Freeman attacked the officer. Freeman drew a knife and sliced Galloway on his arms and legs. Officer Ahern stepped in to aide his partner and began to struggle with Anderson. In the course of the struggle Ahern dropped his gun and sustained cuts on his arms and stab wound to the chest by Anderson. The injuries he sustained caused him to collapse. At this time Freeman picked up Ahern’s revolver and shot Officer Galloway in the chest. In response, Officer Crowley fired his weapon once striking Freeman in the head, killing him instantly. When the struggle began a 10-1 was called by Officer Crowley. Several other patrons became involved and began to fight with additional police who responded. Officer Ahern was transported to St. Anne’s Hospital by beat 1570 and was treated and released. Officer Galloway was also transported to St. Anne’s Hospital by beat 1570 where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Salagione at 2:00 a.m. on March 21, 1971.

Lester Anderson was arrested and charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery.

Officer Galloway was waked at Northlake Funeral Home located at 140 East North Avenue, Northlake, Illinois, his funeral service was also held at Northlake Funeral Home. He was laid to rest on March 24, 1971 in Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2501 East Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Patrolman Melvin Andrew Galloway, Jr., born October 16, 1945, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on March 11, 1965. He earned 14 Honorable Mentions during his career.

Officer Galloway served in the U.S. Army from May 1963 thru May 1966 and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Sergeant. He was survived by his ex-wife, Yolanda; son: David E., age 1; father, Melvin Andrew, Sr.; sister, Diane M. Goolsby and step-brothers: Daniel R. and John A. Connell. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie (nee Kingston).

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #K103592.