Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 21 years, 6 months, 21 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 5th District - Calumet
District of Incident (Present Day): 022 - Morgan Park
Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest
Age at Time of Death: 46
Timeline
Date of Birth: 12 Jul 1945
Date of Appointment: 14 Sep 1970
Date of Incident: 022 - Morgan Park
End of Watch: 04 Apr 1992
Date of Interment: 07 Apr 1992
Interment Details
Cemetery: Providence Baptist Cemetery - Collinsville, Mississippi
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: YES, Branch Unknown
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Donald J. Mitchell, Star #15128, aged 46 years, was a 21 year, 6 month, 21 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 5th District – Calumet, detailed to Unit 710 – Gang Crimes Unit – South.
On April 4, 1992, at 12:10 p.m., Patrolman Mitchell was working with his partner, Patrolman David E. Snethen, on the second watch on beat 4183. The officers were assigned to a gang mission in the 22nd District due to a large number of gang members attending a funeral at 111th and Throop Streets. While at 111th Place and Racine Avenue the officers observed Jerome J. Murray, age 18, of 5526 South Wolcott Avenue, place a Bersa Model 85 .380 caliber pistol beneath a tree at that location. The officers exited their unmarked car and recovered the firearm and attempted to place Murray under arrest. Murray fled on foot and a chase ensued. Murray was apprehended at 1246 West 111th Street after a two block foot chase. Following the chase Officer Mitchell complained to Sergeant J. Malone, beat 2230, that he was getting too old for these chases. Sergeant Malone noted that Officer Mitchell was sweating profusely and pressing his hands to his chest. The officers then transported Murray to the 22nd District Tactical Office for processing. At 1:09 p.m., Officer Mitchell complained to Sergeant Dennis Mulcahy that he had shortness of breath and chest pains as a result of the chase. He then collapsed to the floor of the tactical office. Help was summoned and CFD responded. Paramedics were unable to revive Officer Mitchell at the station. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital, located at 12938 South Gregory Street, Blue Island, Illinois, by CFD Ambulance #17 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Wadley at 1:49 p.m. on April 4, 1992. His cause of death was determined to be from Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.
Jerome Murray was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, no FOID card and failure to register a weapon.
Officer Mitchell was waked at Stevens Funeral Home located at 2800 Old North Hills Street, Meridian, Mississippi. His funeral mass was held at Providence Baptist Church, 13091 Suqualena Road, Collinsville, Mississippi. He was laid to rest on April 7, 1992 in Providence Baptist Cemetery, 13091 Suqualena Road, Collinsville, Mississippi.
Patrolman Donald J. Mitchell, born July 12, 1945, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on September 14, 1970.
Officer Mitchell served in the Armed Forces and was Honorably Discharged. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Mitchell was survived by his wife, Cathy June Sanders (nee Alexander), age 41; step-children: Jessi Nicole Sanders, age 9 and Joshua William Sanders, age 12 and sibling: Diana McHale.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #T149666 General Offense Case Report and T149812 Hospitalization Case Report.
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