Detective Charles P. Annerino

Charles P. Annerino

Detective Charles Annerino was shot and killed by an escapee from the Cook County Jail.

On June 28th, 1954, the subject used a gun to escape from officers who were escorting him from the Cook County Courthouse back to jail. His girlfriend had smuggled the gun to him in court after an appearance for a burglary charge.

He and two other officers were searching Chicago taverns for the escapee. When Detective Annerino walked into a lounge at 1756 W. Lawrence Avenue, the suspect recognized him and shot him through the chest. The other two officers emptied their guns at him as he escaped.

The subject shot officers eight days later at the corner of Clark Street and Berwyn Avenue when they ordered him to halt. The officers returned fire, hitting the suspect more than a dozen times, killing him.

Detective Annerino was a United States Navy WWII veteran. During his eight years with the Chicago Police Department, he had shot and killed three robbery suspects and wounded four others. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and three siblings.