A Salute to Our CPD Military Reservists - Chicago Cop.com

to me were that the entire police
department should be used in every
way possible to assist the United States
government in all its war work.” Little
did they know then, the United States
would face a disaster more deadly than
World War I.
In September of 1918, the deadly
Spanish Influenza reached Rockford,
Illinois and soon spread to Chicago. By
the time the epidemic receded, it had
taken the lives of 8,432 Chicagoans. In
the United States alone, 446,800 citizens
lost their lives to influenza, more
than the total loss of life in World War I.
The Reserve was called in to inspect
theaters and meeting places to assure
proper ventilation and sanitary conditions.
Many events were canceled, and
Chicagoans were encouraged to avoid
physical contact with one another,
including shaking hands and kissing.
The Armistice was signed on
November 11, 1918. At 11 o’clock, on
the 11 th day, of the 11 th month, the war
ended with over 320,000 American
casualties. Chicagoans, like other
Americans, took to the streets to
demonstrate their joy with the war’s
end.The Reserve was called into service
to help protect life and property
during the exuberant celebration, and
mayhem was avoided.
Two weeks after the Armistice,
Brigadier General John J. Garrity was
appointed General Superintendent of
the Chicago Police. At this same time,
a crime wave began that would last
five months. The Reserve was called
in to assist the police in investigations.
According to reports, Reservists
responded to 1,831 calls for service,
were actively involved in 550 investigations,
and recovered $11,000 in
stolen property during this five-month
period.
Garrity’s tenure as superintendent
was a turbulent one. Just as war worries
subsided, racial tensions were percolating
in Chicago.There were 24 racially
motivated bombings in the City
during a two-year span. On Sunday,
July 27, 1919, a riot erupted. One
Chicago historian referred to this as
“...five of the worst days Chicagoans
have ever seen.”
By the time the riots ceased, 38
were dead and more than 500 were
injured.The Department lost one of its
own on July 28, 1919, when Officer
John W. Simpson was fatally shot by
Then and Now
rioters. The Reserve again proved its
worth during this difficult time.
Chicago Police were sent to concentrate
on the riot areas while the
Reserve was called to patrol the
remainder of the City.
On April 5, 1920, the Reserve was
“mustered out” by the Chicago City
Council. Superintendent Garrity had
proposed that the City Council
continue to charter the Chicago
Police Reserve. Instead, the Council
voted down the legislation. Like the
Minutemen, the Chicago Police
Reserve was ready to serve at a
moment’s notice and, at a moment’s
notice, the Reserve was disbanded.
Article by members of the Chicago Police
Historical Association: retired officer Dave
MacFarlan, Officer Jim Signorelli (284), and
Detective Mike Dooley (630), with Dennis
Bingham, Office of News Affairs, contributing.
Sgt. Peter Koconis (121/IAD) reminisces on his “hair-raising” experiences
as a 20th District tactical officer back in 1977.
10 Chicago Police Star — 315th Issue — June 2003