Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Lawrence C. Hartnett was shot and killed when he and another officer raided an Italian grocery store that was selling illegal alcohol at 914 West Polk Street in Chicago. When the officers entered, the family who ran the store began pouring the alcohol down a sink to destroy the evidence. A female family member threw scalding water at the officers to delay them. When that failed, a 17-year-old family member opened fire on the officers, killing Patrolman Hartnett and wounding his partner. The subject was arrested the following day and charged with murder. The 17-year-old, his mother, father, and both grandparents were charged with murder. All five were tried and acquitted. The jury said the boy was defending his home. Patrolman Hartnett had served with the Chicago Police Department for 4 1/2 years assigned to District 16- Maxwell.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-681122B9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hartnett gave the Chicago Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hartnett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Lawrence C. Hartnett is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence C. Hartnett's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence C. Hartnett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence C. Hartnett is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence C. Hartnett was killed by gun.
Incident Location
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