Patrolman Robert McAneney, a 48-year-old white male, was a veteran of the Chicago Police Department, having served for nearly 24 and a half years. On November 16, 1907, at approximately 4:30 a.m., he was tragically shot and killed while off duty. McAneney was still in uniform as he walked home from work, and the incident occurred near the corner of 63rd Street and Wentworth Avenue, just 100 feet from his residence.
The circumstances surrounding his death were initially unclear, but it was later determined that he had interrupted a burglary in progress and was shot as he began to question the suspect.
The investigation into Patrolman McAneney's death revealed that he was shot by an unknown assailant. Two witnesses provided descriptions of the suspect: Miss Jeanette Holly, a cashier at an all-night restaurant, described a man approximately 35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a hat that obscured his face and a short tan coat. Mr. John Keeney, a ticket seller at the 59th Street "El" Station, reported that the suspect ran into the station in a state of agitation, dropped his fare, and caught a northbound train.
Several theories emerged regarding the motive behind McAneney's murder. The official theory suggested that an ex-convict, who had been sent to prison as a result of McAneney's police work, sought revenge. Two suspects were initially considered: Charles Smith, who had been released from the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet two years prior, and Freeman Caniff, who had been released only months before the murder. However, the case remained unsolved until May 1909, when James O'Neill, while serving a sentence for robbery in the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, confessed to the murder. O'Neill claimed that his conscience had compelled him to come forward.
The tragic death of Patrolman Robert McAneney highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, even when off duty. His dedication to his duty and his ultimate sacrifice were honored by his colleagues and the community. The case also underscores the challenges of solving crimes from that era, where limited forensic technology and reliance on witness testimony often complicated investigations.
