33 year old Chicago Police Detective James J. Caplis, Star #1511, was off duty at the Beach View Garden Café at 804 W. Wilson Avenue. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., armed with revolvers and shotguns, four men ordered diners against the wall.
Detective Caplis was at a table with his date. He loitered behind the other patrons as they walked toward the designated wall. Suddenly he broke away from the group. He raced to the farthest wall drawing his revolver at the same instant, fighting single handed against the bandits.
By this act, Caplis made himself the sole target for expected gunfire and was free to battle the robbers. He fired as the nearest bandit turned to him. The robber fired back. At the same time he retreated, the robbers were still menacing the crowd, and one or two of them blazing away at Caplis.
Caplis moved forward as the robbers reached the stairway, firing as he went. By this time, he was between the gunmen and several of the guests. One of the robbers fired a charge from his shotgun. It was two slugs of this charge, which struck a patron. Not yet hit, Detective Caplis raced to the head of the stairs to send a final shot at the fleeing bandits. A bullet met him before he had the opportunity to face the descending robbers.
More than a dozen men carried the fallen officer to the hospital where he died of his wounds a short time later.
Caplis was a winner of The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in June 1928.
On December 27, 1931, two 17 year old men were in custody and confessed that they participated in the slaying. Two women were also under arrest, one a 16 year old, and the other a 17 year old. One of the detainees provided information concerning the chain of events; stating that one of the women, armed with a revolver was sitting at a table with two men, when the robber band arrived, the trio joined them.
Two of the killers received 99 years, two received 14 years and one was killed. The women's sentence was stricken (meaning they were not officially charged).
Detective Caplis is survived by his mother, father and sister.
Funeral services here held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3121 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago.
Detective Caplis was at a table with his date. He loitered behind the other patrons as they walked toward the designated wall. Suddenly he broke away from the group. He raced to the farthest wall drawing his revolver at the same instant, fighting single handed against the bandits.
By this act, Caplis made himself the sole target for expected gunfire and was free to battle the robbers. He fired as the nearest bandit turned to him. The robber fired back. At the same time he retreated, the robbers were still menacing the crowd, and one or two of them blazing away at Caplis.
Caplis moved forward as the robbers reached the stairway, firing as he went. By this time, he was between the gunmen and several of the guests. One of the robbers fired a charge from his shotgun. It was two slugs of this charge, which struck a patron. Not yet hit, Detective Caplis raced to the head of the stairs to send a final shot at the fleeing bandits. A bullet met him before he had the opportunity to face the descending robbers.
More than a dozen men carried the fallen officer to the hospital where he died of his wounds a short time later.
Caplis was a winner of The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in June 1928.
On December 27, 1931, two 17 year old men were in custody and confessed that they participated in the slaying. Two women were also under arrest, one a 16 year old, and the other a 17 year old. One of the detainees provided information concerning the chain of events; stating that one of the women, armed with a revolver was sitting at a table with two men, when the robber band arrived, the trio joined them.
Two of the killers received 99 years, two received 14 years and one was killed. The women's sentence was stricken (meaning they were not officially charged).
Detective Caplis is survived by his mother, father and sister.
Funeral services here held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3121 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago.
33 year old Chicago Police Detective James J. Caplis, Star #1511, was off duty at the Beach View Garden Café at 804 W. Wilson Avenue. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., armed with revolvers and shotguns, four men ordered diners against the wall.
Detective Caplis was at a table with his date. He loitered behind the other patrons as they walked toward the designated wall. Suddenly he broke away from the group. He raced to the farthest wall drawing his revolver at the same instant, fighting single handed against the bandits.
By this act, Caplis made himself the sole target for expected gunfire and was free to battle the robbers. He fired as the nearest bandit turned to him. The robber fired back. At the same time he retreated, the robbers were still menacing the crowd, and one or two of them blazing away at Caplis.
Caplis moved forward as the robbers reached the stairway, firing as he went. By this time, he was between the gunmen and several of the guests. One of the robbers fired a charge from his shotgun. It was two slugs of this charge, which struck a patron. Not yet hit, Detective Caplis raced to the head of the stairs to send a final shot at the fleeing bandits. A bullet met him before he had the opportunity to face the descending robbers.
More than a dozen men carried the fallen officer to the hospital where he died of his wounds a short time later.
Caplis was a winner of The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in June 1928.
On December 27, 1931, two 17 year old men were in custody and confessed that they participated in the slaying. Two women were also under arrest, one a 16 year old, and the other a 17 year old. One of the detainees provided information concerning the chain of events; stating that one of the women, armed with a revolver was sitting at a table with two men, when the robber band arrived, the trio joined them.
Two of the killers received 99 years, two received 14 years and one was killed. The women's sentence was stricken (meaning they were not officially charged).
Detective Caplis is survived by his mother, father and sister.
Funeral services here held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3121 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago.
Detective Caplis was at a table with his date. He loitered behind the other patrons as they walked toward the designated wall. Suddenly he broke away from the group. He raced to the farthest wall drawing his revolver at the same instant, fighting single handed against the bandits.
By this act, Caplis made himself the sole target for expected gunfire and was free to battle the robbers. He fired as the nearest bandit turned to him. The robber fired back. At the same time he retreated, the robbers were still menacing the crowd, and one or two of them blazing away at Caplis.
Caplis moved forward as the robbers reached the stairway, firing as he went. By this time, he was between the gunmen and several of the guests. One of the robbers fired a charge from his shotgun. It was two slugs of this charge, which struck a patron. Not yet hit, Detective Caplis raced to the head of the stairs to send a final shot at the fleeing bandits. A bullet met him before he had the opportunity to face the descending robbers.
More than a dozen men carried the fallen officer to the hospital where he died of his wounds a short time later.
Caplis was a winner of The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in June 1928.
On December 27, 1931, two 17 year old men were in custody and confessed that they participated in the slaying. Two women were also under arrest, one a 16 year old, and the other a 17 year old. One of the detainees provided information concerning the chain of events; stating that one of the women, armed with a revolver was sitting at a table with two men, when the robber band arrived, the trio joined them.
Two of the killers received 99 years, two received 14 years and one was killed. The women's sentence was stricken (meaning they were not officially charged).
Detective Caplis is survived by his mother, father and sister.
Funeral services here held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3121 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago.
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