Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 19 years, 4 months, 27 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: 17th District - New City

District of Incident (Present Day): 008 - Chicago Lawn

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy

Age at Time of Death: 45

Timeline


Date of Birth: 05 Jun 1887

Date of Appointment: 13 Aug 1913

Date of Incident: 008 - Chicago Lawn

End of Watch: 09 Jan 1933

Date of Interment: 12 Jan 1933

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Bethania Cemetery - Justice, 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 Edward Charles Post, Star #4325, aged 45 years, was a 19 year, 4 month, 27 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 17th District – New City.

On January 8, 1933, at 4:00 p.m., Officer Post’s tour of duty ended. While still in his police uniform he attended a party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Zack located at 2533 West 46th Place. Also present at the party were Mr. Harry S. Munroe, an ex-convict who called Officer Post his best friend and Miss Helen Kindley, age 25, of 2533 West 46th Place and Charles Hemak, age 23, of 2454 West 46th Place. The guests shared a bottle of whiskey and shortly after midnight on January 9, 1933 Munroe became belligerent and abusive towards Miss Kindley after they had danced. Miss Kindley then informed Officer Post that Munroe had insulted her. In response, Officer Post remonstrated with Munroe causing him to apologize to Miss Kindley. At 12:25 a.m., Munroe angered that he had been forced to apologize, while sitting opposite from Officer Post in the room, drew a revolver and announced that he was going to kill Officer Post. Munroe wildly fired at Officer Post and stopped. Officer Post then rose from his chair and drew his revolver. It was at this time that Miss Lindley stepped between the two men in an attempt to stop Munroe from firing again. Officer Post then pushed Miss Lindley aside and Munroe opened fire once again, shooting three more rounds. Officer Post was struck in his body and began to fall. As he fell, he returned fire striking Munroe in the right wrist. Munroe then fled the scene making good his escape.

Munroe was later caught in an alley at 46th Street and Western Avenue by Sergeant Joseph Devery and his squad. During questioning, Munroe admitted to the shooting. On January 9, 1933, Munroe was held by the Coroner for murder.

Officer Post was waked at a chapel located at 1643 West 63rd Street. His funeral mass was held at Thoburn Church located at 64th and Paulina Streets. He was laid to rest on January 12, 1933 in Bethania Cemetery, 7701 South Archer Avenue, Justice, Illinois.

Patrolman Edward Charles Post, born June 5, 1887, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 13, 1913.

Officer Post was a member of the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association, a Master Mason and a member of Cyrene Lodge No. 987 AF&AM and Jackson Park Chapter No. 222 Royal Arch Masons. He was survived by his wife, Margareth (nee Hoffman), age 46; children: Margareth, age 20 and Virginia P; father, Reinhardt and siblings: Paul, Mrs. Alma Henke and Reinhardt, Jr.