LUCEY, Jeremiah and Mary (née O'Brien)

Despite the parents' efforts to see their children educated to secure positions that would save them from the emigrant ship, "Jerry" and his younger brother, Cornelius, nevertheless migrated to the US, settling in Chicago, Illinois. Jerry and Con both served as cavalrymen in the United States army during World War I and later as policemen in Chicago.

Evidence available to the writer suggests that "Jerry" departed Cobh, Ireland aboard the Mauretania, arriving in the USA in April of 1911 or the year after.

Fatal Wounding

Jerry was fatally wounded in the line of duty on 6 February 1954 when, in the company of two other detectives, he was shot by Jimmy Lee, a Chinese laundryman whom they were sent to arrest. His widow, "Molly" later married Michael Doyle.

The Chicago Tribune of February 7, 1954 reports the incident as follows:

Holds Off 150 Police in Gun Fight; 4 Shot

Two policemen, a civilian, and a Chinese laundry operator were shot and wounded yesterday when the policemen sought to arrest the laundry man on an assault warrant in his shop at 2705 Diversey av.

Detective Jeremiah Lucey, 60, of 237 S. Lotus av was shot thru the liver and was taken to Alexian Brothers' hospital. He was in critical condition.

Two others were also involved in the shooting - Det Roman Steinke, aged 42 and Det Steve W. Malenk, aged 40 who died at Alexian Brothers' hospital.

The Chicago Tribune death notice of Tuesday, Feb 9, 1954 reads:

"LUCEY--Jeremiah C. Lucey of 237 S. Lotus Avenue, suddenly, beloved husband of Mary (Molly), nee: O'Brien; dear father of Gerald P. and Maureen S. Lucey, brother of Cornelius and Timothy Lucey. At chapel 4817 Madison Street. Funeral Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., to resurrection church. Mass at 10:00a.m. Burial Queen of Heaven. Native of Macroom, County Cork, Ireland. Member of Holy Name Society; P.B.A.; St. Jude's League. and Chicago Patrolman's club. Austin 7-1137."