Antique 1925 "Gangster Era" Chicago Police Medal

Antique 1925 Chicago Police Medal. This is considered a "Gangster Era" collectible during Prohibition. The medal was awarded to the winner of "Field Day" where the officers competed annually in various athletic events. This is an official stamped piece in VG antique condition.

In 1925, the Chicago Police Department was operating under the administration of Mayor William Dever, aiming to crack down on organized crime during Prohibition. The key leadership figures in the department and the detective bureau during this period included:

Matthew Zimmer: Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

William H. Schoemaker: Chief of Detectives.

John Stege: Captain of Detectives, known for leading investigations into the North Side gang.

Charles C. Healey: A high-ranking detective and former Police Chief (during the previous administration) who was involved in major cases, including the arrest of North Side gangsters in 1925.

Sergeant Sam Peterson: Noted as an active member of the department in 1925.

Lieutenant John Loftus: Lieutenant of Detectives involved in the "Ford Squads" bandit-hunting teams.

Sergeant McBride: A detective who survived an assassination attempt by associates of Al Capone in the mid-1920s.

Contextual Notes for 1925

The Chicago police in 1925 were heavily engaged in the "Beer Wars," which saw 133 gang-related murders during 1925–1926. Detectives like John Stege and Healy were active in targeting the North Side gang following the murder of Dean O'Banion. Additionally, the department was transitioning to specialized units, such as "Ford Squads" (bandit hunting wagons).

Around 1925, Chicago's law enforcement was caught in a violent transition as the city's "Beer Wars" escalated between Al Capone's South Side gang and the North Side Gang. Notable law enforcement figures and groups active during this specific window include:

Key Chicago Police & Detectives

William H. Schoemaker: The Chief of Detectives who took a hardline stance against the North Side mob. After a 1927 incident where detectives killed gangster Vincent "The Schemer" Drucci, Schoemaker famously refused to issue murder warrants for his officers, stating he would instead have "a medal struck" for them.

John Stege: A prominent Detective Captain known for his aggressive investigations into the North Side gang following the 1924 murder of Dean O'Banion.

Detectives James Mulcahy and William Hennessey: Notable for being victims of the era's violence. In August 1923, they were shot and killed by bootleggers Hirschie Miller and Samuel "Nails" Morton during a struggle at the Beaux Arts Club.

Federal & Reform Efforts

The "Secret Six": A group of wealthy Chicago businessmen who privately funded a "clandestine" strike force to bypass corrupt local police. They hired specialized investigators, such as Dan Kooken and Hal Roberts, to conduct stings and wiretaps against Capone.

Eliot Ness: While his famous "Untouchables" squad didn't form until 1930, Ness graduated from the University of Chicago in 1925 and joined the Bureau of Prohibition in 1926. His brother-in-law, Alexander Jamie, was an influential FBI agent who helped steer him toward law enforcement.

Elmer Irey and Frank Wilson: IRS agents who began the long-term financial investigation in 1925 that eventually led to Capone's 1931 conviction for tax evasion.

The "Open Town" Era

Mayor William Dever (1923–1927): Unlike his predecessor (and successor) "Big Bill" Thompson, Dever attempted to enforce Prohibition. His reform efforts actually triggered more violence, as gangs fought for control in a city where many police remained on mob payrolls.

Edwin C. Shanahan: The first FBI agent killed in the line of duty, murdered in Chicago on October 11, 1925, while attempting to arrest a notorious car thief.

Key Features of the Medal

Central Design: The medal features a prominent five-pointed star in the center, which contains the seal of the Chicago Police.

Figures: Flanking the central star are two figures standing over a decorative basin or fountain.

Inscriptions: The top of the medal is inscribed with "CHICAGO POLICE" and the year "1925".

Symbolism: A globe sits at the very top of the medal's intricate design.

Mounting: It is suspended from a black ribbon bow.

These medals were produced by Dieges & Clust, a prominent maker of medals and trophies during that era.

Key Features of the Medal

• Central Design: The medal features a prominent five-pointed star in the center, which contains the seal of the Chicago Police.

• Figures: Flanking the central star are two figures standing over a decorative basin or fountain.

• Inscriptions: The top of the medal is inscribed with "CHICAGO POLICE" and the year "1925".

• Symbolism: A globe sits at the very top of the medal's intricate design.

• Mounting: It is suspended from a black ribbon bow.

These medals were produced by Dieges & Clust, a prominent maker of medals and trophies during that era.