Detective John J. Blyth

John J. Blyth

Detective John J. Blyth was killed and killed in a shootout with a drunk subject at the entrance to an alley near 4711 S. Wells Street.

Three other persons were wounded in the shooting. Two of the victims were painting the interior of a church on West 47th Street when they heard a woman scream in the alley. They investigated and were shot by the gunman. Detective Blyth and his partner heard gunfire and chased the assailant into the alley where the fatal gunfight took place.

Detective Blyth's killer was captured a few minutes later by officers who followed a blood trail. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and executed in August of 1962.

Detective John Blyth often spent off-duty hours chasing down criminals and in 1951 he was commended for his part in solving 229 crimes. His death ended 87 years of service by three generations of his family on the Chicago Police Department. His father was a policeman for 30 years and Detective Blyth wore his star No. 1395, which has since been retired. Detective Blyth's maternal grandfather was a policeman for 40 years.

Detective John Blyth was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, mother, and five siblings.