Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 2 years, 3 months, 27 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: 40th District - Summerdale

District of Incident (Present Day): 020 - Lincoln

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy

Age at Time of Death: 36

Timeline


Date of Birth: 15 Nov 1896

Date of Appointment: 03 Jan 1931

Date of Incident: 020 - Lincoln

End of Watch: 30 Apr 1933

Date of Interment: 04 May 1933

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery - Niles, Illinois
 Grave Location: Lot 7, Block F, Section St. Procopius
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # C-4

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 24

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 34

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 44-E: 1

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman Stanley Joseph Lutke, Star #6510, aged 36 years, was a 2 year, 3 month, 27 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 40th District – Summerdale.

On April 30, 1933, in the early morning hours, Officer Lutke, while on foot patrol, suspected there was suspicious activity taking place at the Argyle Smoke Shop located at 5018 North Broadway Avenue. It was a rather wet night with a driving rain falling. He crossed the street to investigate and peered through the front window. He discovered that his instincts were correct. The owner of the store, Edward Searmore, was being robbed. Officer Lutke came upon the scene just as the robbers were finishing up. Lutke made the decision to wait outside the store in an effort to surprise the robber as he exited. Due to the rain Officer Lutke’s vision was obscured and he only saw the one robber, which would prove to be fatal. The robber, before exiting, spotted the officer and bolted out of the front entrance. Officer Lutke fired five shots at the robber, causing him to stumble, as he fled on foot down Broadway Avenue. Lutke pursued the offender on foot as he reloaded his revolver while the second offender emerged from the store behind him. Creeping up behind Officer Lutke, the offender came within five feet before Lutke sensed his presence. As Lutke turned to confront him, the offender fired a single shot. Officer Lutke was struck in the forehead and collapsed to the ground. The offenders fled the scene making good their escape. They were never apprehended. Officer Lutke was rushed to Edgewater Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 3:05 a.m. the same day.

Officer Lutke was waked at his residence located at 2327 North Hamlin Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Grace Church located at 2455 North Hamlin Avenue. He was laid to rest on May 4, 1933 in St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, 6800 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 7, Block F, Section St. Procopius.

Patrolman Stanley Joseph Lutke, born November 15, 1896, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on January 3, 1931.

Officer Lutke was survived by his wife, Estelle (nee Pilarczyk), age 34 and children: Bernice, age 13, Dolores Grace, age 7, James Arthur, age 3 and Lorraine Lillian, age 11. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Gene, age 8.