Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 2 years, 5 months, 8 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: Motorcycle Squadron (MS)

District of Incident (Present Day): 011 - Harrison

Cause of Death: Crash - Motorcycle

Age at Time of Death: 33

Timeline


Date of Birth: 29 Apr 1884

Date of Appointment: 20 Feb 1915

Date of Incident: 011 - Harrison

End of Watch: 28 Jul 1917

Date of Interment: 31 Jul 1917

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: St. Patrick's Cemetery - McHenry, Illinois
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Not Enshrined

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Not Listed

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed

Officer Down Memorial Page: Not Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman John W. Gibbs, Star #1399, aged 33 years, was a 2 year, 5 month, 8 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Motorcycle Squadron.

On July 28, 1917, Officer Gibbs was on patrol when his police motorcycle collided with an automobile at the intersection of Chicago and Kedzie Avenues. Frank Lennen of 706 North Troy Street drove the auto. Upon impact, Officer Gibbs was thrown from the motorcycle and traveled approximately forty feet before falling and striking his head on a curb. He sustained a skull fracture upon landing which led to his death the same day.

Officer Gibbs was waked at P. H. Collins Funeral Home and was laid to rest on July 31, 1917 in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 1600-1614 North Court Street, McHenry, Illinois.

Patrolman John W. Gibbs, born April 29, 1884, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 20, 1915.

Officer Gibbs was survived by his parents: Bridget (nee Knox) and John and siblings: Charles W., James and Mary McCabe.

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