Edward J. Cleary
Agency patch
Patrolman

Edward J. Cleary

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 29, 1924
Age 31
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 1 mo
Badge 4220
The Vigil Panel 48 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Edward Cleary was fatally shot at about 10:00 pm, November 23rd, 1924 in the vicinity of 1113 Maxwell Street by an unidentified subject he attempted to arrest on the complaint of a woman. He was approached by a woman who reported that she had just been assaulted and she identified the offender on the street. As Patrolman Cleary confronted the offender, the man pulled a revolver and fired, killing him. On December 4th, 1924, the coroner recommended the unknown suspect's arrest and held a female as an accessory in the belief that she knew his identity. On April 15th, 1928, there was an arrest and on May 17th, 1928, the prisoner was turned over to the sheriff. On June 2nd, 1928 another arrest was made, however, on June 7th, 1928 the case was discharged and the first subject arrested was acquitted on January 15th, 1928.

In Our Keeping

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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 Cleary gave the Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cleary.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 29, 1924
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 1 mo
Age 31
Badge Number 4220
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 2.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Edward J. Cleary

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch November 29, 1924

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E

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