Police Officer Edward L. Barron

Edward L. Barron

Police Officer Edward L. Barron was shot and killed during a robbery in progress call at 7958 S. Colfax Avenue.

A 16-year-old boy robbed and pistol-whipped one of two elderly victims and stole 55 cents. Upon their arrival, three police officers located the offender and ordered him to drop his weapon. The gunman responded by drawing the Luger pistol, which was used in the robberies, and fired at the officers. Officer Barron in the head, killing him instantly. The offender also fired upon additional responding officers until he ran out of ammunition.

The gunman was convicted of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and two counts of armed robbery. He was sentenced to 20 to 200 years in prison but was paroled in 2015.

Officer Barron was a United States Air Force Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over three years, assigned to the 4th District. He was survived by his wife and two children.