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James Riordan

Case from Chicago, IL dated Jun 06, 1981

Victim Details

Superintendent James J. Riordan

Female

White / Caucasian

Chicago

IL

1981-06-06

57

James

Riordan

07/14/2026

Case Description

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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 ...
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Links to Additional Sources (3)

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  • James J Riordan (1923-1981) - Find a Grave Memorial
  • 'Chicago has lost a great policeman' - UPI Archives
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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else looked into the disciplinary issues Leon Washington had in Iowa before the tragic in... ...Read More
    07/28/2023
    I've been following the case of Superintendent James J. Riordan's tragic death, and something that's... ...Read More
    01/17/2023
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