Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 1 year, 1 month, 28 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 23, 38th Precinct - East Chicago

District of Incident (Present Day): 018 - Near North

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy

Age at Time of Death: 29

Timeline


Date of Birth: 13 Oct 1885

Date of Appointment: 09 Oct 1913

Date of Incident: 018 - Near North

End of Watch: 06 Nov 1914

Date of Interment: 10 Nov 1914

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Eden Cemetery - Schiller Park, Illinois
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-3

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 1

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 1, Line 44

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 23-E: 5

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman William J. Rosenstreter, Star #3980, aged 29 years, was a 1 year, 1 month, 28 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 23, 38th Precinct – East Chicago.

On November 6, 1914, at 1:10 a.m., Officer Rosenstreter and his partner, Patrolman Edward Baynes, were working in plainclothes. They responded to a disturbance at Goldman Brothers’ Saloon located at 500 North State Street. While en route, they heard the sound of glass break at Kinzie and State Streets. Upon arrival they observed an intoxicated man, Charles Williams of 506 North State Street, attempting to enter through a hole in the glass door of the saloon. In the company of Williams were Edward Carey and Mrs. Bessie Fallon. Williams and his friends had spent the day drinking at the saloon. As Officer Rosenstreter attempted to arrest Williams, he turned around and placed a revolver within three inches of the officer’s neck. Williams pulled the trigger and Officer Rosenstreter was struck in the neck and then fell to the ground unconscious. Williams then began to flee on foot he fired twice at Officer Baynes. Officer Baynes gave chase and at Illinois and State Streets he overtook Williams after Williams had stopped in an attempt to fire again. Williams was unable to fire again as Officer Baynes knocked the revolver out of his hand and then beat him unconscious with the butt of his revolver. Carey and Fallon fled the scene shortly after the shooting. Officer Rosenstreter was transported to Passavant Hospital where he was pronounced dead four hours later on November 6, 1914.

Williams was transported to the station and processed. On November 7, 1914, the Coroner held Williams to the Grand Jury. Edward Carey and Bessie Fallon were later arrested and held. On September 15, 1915, Williams was acquitted by Judge Barrett.

Officer Rosenstreter was waked at his residence located at 1032 North Massasoit Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Eden Cemetery. He was laid to rest on November 10, 1914 in Eden Cemetery, 9851 West Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, Illinois. His grave is located in Section 3.

Patrolman William J. Rosenstreter, born October 13, 1885, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on October 9, 1913.

Officer Rosenstreter was survived by his father, John and siblings: Augusta, Emil, Julia and Minnie H.

Incident recorded under Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database, Case #4888.