Detective John A. Wren, a 35-year-old white male, was a veteran of the Chicago Police Department, having served for over 13 years. On March 4, 1910, while on duty in plain clothes with his partner, Detective Patrick J. Quinn, Wren encountered three suspicious men on Townsend Street (now Hudson Avenue) near Chicago Avenue. The detectives, suspecting the men to be involved in criminal activities, ordered them to halt and identified themselves as police officers.
In response, the suspects drew their weapons and opened fire without warning. Detective Wren was shot twice in the abdomen, while Detective Quinn was shot in the foot. Despite their injuries, both detectives managed to return fire, but the suspects escaped.
Detective Wren was rushed to Passavant Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on March 5, 1910. His death was classified as a line-of-duty death, and he was honored for his service. The incident led to an extensive manhunt, but the initial suspects, Joe Glumaky, Mike Mekevitt, and Fred Vogt, who were detained for questioning, denied any involvement in the murder. A fourth suspect, Barrato Cornico, was later arrested and identified by Detective Quinn as one of the assailants. However, Cornico was released after his alibi was corroborated by several friends.
Detective Wren's funeral was held at Holy Name Cathedral, and he was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois. The case remains a significant part of Chicago's law enforcement history, highlighting the dangers faced by police officers and the challenges in bringing perpetrators to justice.
