Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 19 years, 7 months, 5 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: 20th District - Foster

District of Incident (Present Day): 020 - Lincoln

Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest

Age at Time of Death: 46

Timeline


Date of Birth: 24 Jan 1953

Date of Appointment: 11 Feb 1980

Date of Incident: 020 - Lincoln

End of Watch: 16 Sep 1999

Date of Interment: 21 Sep 1999

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: All Saints Catholic Cemetery - Des Plaines, Illinois
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Not Enshrined

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 8

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: U.S. Army

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman Myles Michael Smetana, Star #14658, aged 46 years, was a 19 year, 7 month, 5 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 20th District – Foster.

On August 24, 1999, at 1:35 p.m., Officer Smetana was working the second watch on beat 2013 10-99. He monitored a radio call of a disturbance involving an irate, mentally ill man threatening customers at a business. He responded to assist beat 2012, Patrolman Thomas Boyle. Additionally beat 2071, Patrolmen Robert Pasternack and David Tamillo, responded to assist as well. Once at the scene, the officers observed a heated argument and they struggled to separate the two parties and regain the man’s composure. Officer Smetana offered him instructions on how to lodge a formal complaint and even gave him a phone number of a company which might offer him a job. After the incident Officer Boyle asked Officer Smetana if he was okay due to his appearance. Officer Smetana said he suddenly felt ill, weak and dizzy but assured him it would go away and he would feel better in a minute. He finished his tour of duty and went home. Later that evening, when conditions did not improve, he was driven to the River Grove Fire Department (RGFD) by his wife. It was learned that he was in cardiac arrest and he was transported to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital by RGFD Ambulance. Upon arrival he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He lapsed into a coma after a severe heart attack and remained comatose until his death. He was pronounced dead by Dr. Lal at 9:30 p.m. on September 16, 1999.

Officer Smetana was waked at Friel Funeral Home located at 8300 West Lawrence Avenue, Norridge, IL. He was laid to rest on September 21, 1999 in All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 700 North River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois.

Patrolman Myles Michael Smetana, born January 24, 1953, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 11, 1980 and was in Recruit Class 80-2A at the Jackson Street Police Academy. He earned 1 Carter Harrison Medal, 1 Superintendent’s Award of Merit and 54 Honorable Mentions during his career.

Officer Smetana served in the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Smetana was survived by his wife, Katherine Frances (nee Eder) and children: Erin Patricia, age 5 months, Kaitlyn Rose, age 4 and Zachary Michael, age 6.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #D549736.