This story is part of the Marshall Project’s “We Are Witnesses: Chicago” series. In 15 direct-to-camera testimonies, this collection of videos gives voice to Chicagoans affected by the justice system. Watch the videos at themarshallproject.org/chicago.
I grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, Jefferson Park. During my childhood [it] was pretty much crime free except for a few very significant crimes, and one of them was a well-known case, the murder of three young boys—Tony and John Schuessler and another boy named [Robert] Peterson. I was friends with the Schuessler boys.
What influence did your work have on your views on race?
I’ll tell you one thing, as a homicide detective working in the worst areas of the city, the Hispanic or Black ghetto areas, I was always amazed that you’d have a young man shot and killed and we’re trying to solve the crime and never get a phone call from the family saying, “What’s going on? Have you gotten any closer to closing the case?” It was rare that we’d get an inquiry.
Are you saying the murder rate that’s reported is lower than it actually is?
I’ve had several shootings in my career, and only the first time did I get asked if I wanted to go see a department psychiatrist. And I went one time and that was it. I knew what my job was, I knew what the dangers were.
