Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 5 years, 10 months, 11 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 17th District - New City
District of Incident (Present Day): 002 - Wentworth
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 32
Timeline
Date of Birth: 28 Jul 1895
Date of Appointment: 07 Jun 1922
Date of Incident: 002 - Wentworth
End of Watch: 18 Apr 1928
Date of Interment: 21 Apr 1928
Interment Details
Cemetery: Oakhill Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-11
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 7
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 23
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 34-E: 16
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Emil Shogren, Star #985, aged 32 years, was a 5 year, 10 month, 11 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 17th District – New City, detailed to the Detective Division – Ford Squad 5-C.
On April 18, 1928, at 11:35 p.m., Officer Shogren was on patrol with his squad, Sergeant John G. Shortwall and Patrolman Frank Pietrowiak, when they came to a stop at a traffic light. While at the stoplight the officers noticed two suspicious looking men, Joseph Copps and Robert Nash of Orlando, Illinois. Sergeant Shortwell and Officer Shogren exited the squad car at 39th Street and Michigan Avenue to question the men. The policemen had not yet reached Copps and Nash when they drew revolvers and immediately opened fire on the officers. Both policemen returned fire, Shogren being struck during the first volley. Officer Shogren was struck in the chest, penetrating his heart, and then collapsed to the ground. The gunman then turned and fled on foot with Sergeant Shortwall in pursuit. Hearing the sound of gunfire, Officer Pietrowiak exited the squad car and gave chase with the Sergeant. As they ran, the Sergeant continued to fire at the fleeing felons, one of his rounds striking Copps. Copps was struck in his jaw, collapsed to the sidewalk, and was apprehended. Nash continued to flee until he was cornered in the rear of 3958 South Michigan Avenue, where he turned and attempted to battle with police, and was shot and killed by Officer Pietrowiak. Officer Shogren was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, 45 minutes after beginning his tour of duty.
Follow up investigators examined the dead body of Robert Nash, where they learned his identity from a railroad pass card found in his pocket. Robert Nash was a career criminal wanted for a previous murder. On April 7, 1928, Nash murdered Charles Cook in an attempted store holdup. Joseph Copps also had a lengthy rap sheet and on May 28, 1928 was held by the Coroner as an accessory to Officer Shogren’s murder. On August 8, 1928 his case was nolle prossed by Judge David.
Officer Shogren was laid to rest on April 21, 1928 in Oakhill Cemetery, 11900 South Kedzie Avenue, Alsip, Illinois.
Patrolman Emil Shogren, born July 28, 1895, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on June 7, 1922. He earned 2 Credible Mentions during his career.
Officer Shogren was survived by his wife, Lillie (nee Carlson) and children: Elaine May, age 1, Jeanette Emily, age 4 and Lillian Edna, age 8.
Incident recorded under Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database, Case #10974.
In December of 1923 the Ford Squad was assigned to the Detective Division and detailed to patrol two districts. The cars were manned by four men in plainclothes with two shotguns. They patrolled 24 hours a day in eight hour shifts.
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