Superintendent James J. Riordan, aged 57, was the First Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. On June 6, 1981, he was fatally shot while off-duty at the Marina City Restaurant in Chicago. Riordan intervened when he saw a man harassing a woman with a switchblade. As he escorted the man out, the suspect, Leon Washington, pulled out a .380 caliber handgun and shot Riordan multiple times in the chest.
Washington, a former police officer from Davenport, Iowa, was arrested at
the scene. He had no arrest record in Chicago but had a history of disciplinary issues during his time in Iowa. Witnesses described Washington as a "gun nut" who often carried weapons in bars. The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m., and Riordan was pronounced dead at 11:54 p.m. after undergoing surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Mayor Jane Byrne, deeply affected by Riordan's death, visited him in the hospital and whispered, "I love you, Jim," as he was being taken into surgery. Riordan was highly respected within the police force and had served for 34 years. He was survived by his wife and seven children, five of whom went on to become police officers.
Washington was charged with murder and later convicted. In December 1981, he was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the killing. Riordan's widow, Lorretta, filed a $30 million damage suit against Washington, the restaurant management company, and the gun distributor.
Riordan's death was a significant loss to the Chicago Police Department and the city, as he was considered a dedicated and street-wise officer who had turned down the superintendent's job for personal reasons. His legacy lives on through his family and the impact he had on the community and his fellow officers.
