Steven Gajda

Thursday, January 1, 1998

Gajda, Steven

Rank: Police Officer

Serial Number: 27686

Division: Hollenbeck

Location: 2902 New Jersey

Date Killed: Thursday, January 1, 1998

Cause of Death: Shot by a Suspect

Bio: Officer Gajda died on January 1, 1998, after being shot in the head while assigned to stop people from shooting guns in the air on New Year's Eve. Officer Gajda and other
officers stopped at a party which seemed out of control to issue a warning. While they were approaching several gang members fled and were pursued by the officers. Officer Gajda chased one man who
appeared to have a weapon in his waistband and was shot in the ensuing struggle. Two officers on the scene returned fire, killing the 17-year-old suspect who had been wanted for murder since March of
1997.

Officer Gajda is survived by his wife and two children.