On July 1, 1909, Patrolman Henry George Schnable, aged 31, of the Chicago Police Department, was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with a burglar. Officer Schnable encountered the burglar exiting a building in an alley behind 34th Street near Wabash Avenue. When he ordered the man to stop, the burglar engaged Officer Schnable in a gun battle, mortally wounding him.
The suspect, Tegee McNeil, was arrested two weeks later.
However, in September 1909, a Grand Jury returned a "No Bill" against McNeil, and she was released. The case drew significant attention due to the circumstances of Officer Schnable's death and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Officer Schnable had served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 months and was assigned to the Stanton Avenue Station. His death was a tragic event that highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
Despite the efforts to bring the suspect to justice, the legal system ultimately did not result in a conviction. The case remains a poignant reminder of the risks associated with policing and the complexities of the justice system at the time.
