Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 2 years, 7 months, 28 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 16 - Maxwell

District of Incident (Present Day): 001 - Central

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy

Age at Time of Death: 34

Timeline


Date of Birth: 31 Aug 1887

Date of Appointment: 23 May 1919

Date of Incident: 001 - Central

End of Watch: 20 Jan 1922

Date of Interment: 24 Jan 1922

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Mount Carmel Cemetery - Hillside, Illinois
 Grave Location: Grave 9, Lot L&S2, Block 40, Section O
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-7

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 15

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 6

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 21-W: 16

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman Charles A. Paldina, Star #493, aged 34 years, was a 2 year, 7 month, 28 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 16 – Maxwell, Detailed to the Detective Division.

On January 20, 1922, at 3:30 p.m., Officer Paldina was on duty and following a lead in search of Edward Neuman, alias Eisenberg, alias Ginsberg, who had been looking for over the past month. He had gone to a saloon located at 901 South Des Plaines Street where it was said Neuman could be found. As he approached the saloon Neuman spotted him and met Officer Paldina in front. Neuman did not give Paldina a chance as he opened fire, shooting through his coat. Despite being struck three times in the stomach Officer Paldina drew his weapon and returned fire, chasing Neuman down the street, as the two exchanged gunfire. Officer Paldina had been able to hit Neuman five times in the back and the chase ended two blocks from the saloon in a passageway at 754 West Taylor Street when Neuman collapsed. Both Officer Paldina and Neuman were taken to Cook County Hospital, both dying en route.

Neuman’s criminal past would be discovered once again at the Cook County Morgue. While at the morgue, Mr. Abe Hubschman, the owner of Star Loan Bank, a pawnshop, identified Neuman as one of five robbers that had stolen $25,000.00 in jewelry several years earlier. Neuman had never been arrested for the crime.

Officer Paldina was waked at his residence located at 619 South Marshfield Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church located at 1224 West Lexington Street. He was laid to rest on January 24, 1922 in Mount Carmel Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 9, Lot L&S2, Block 40, Section O.

Patrolman Charles Paldina, born August 31, 1887, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on May 23, 1919 and was issued Star #3532. On April 22, 1921, he was promoted to the rank of Temporary Detective Sergeant for Meritorious Conduct and issued Detective Sergeant Star #493. He earned 4 Credible Mentions and 1 Extra Compensation for Meritorious Conduct totaling $240.00 during his career. Officer Paldina also received his promotion after clearing up a string of murders in the 19th Ward.

Officer Paldina was a member of Francis Xavier Council No. 1890 Knights of Columbus. He was survived by his wife, Anna (nee Cobleto); children: Frances, age 10, Frank, age 6, Isabel, age 1 and Marie, age 11; father, Francisco and siblings: Angelina and Mary Adolph.

Incident recorded under Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database, Case #7455.