After more than 65 years of searching, Chicago police have finally identified the man responsible for the tragic murder of 8-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz, who was on her way to church. The suspect, Thomas F. McInerney Jr., was a Chicago police officer when the crime occurred on November 12, 1960.
McInerney, who passed away in 2006, had only recently joined the police force as a detective specializing in violent crimes. However, the evidence linking him to the murder lingered for decades. It seems that technological advancements eventually played a key role in delivering answers.
On that fateful morning, just before 8 a.m., Gloria was walking a few blocks from her home to St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church but never made it there. Four hours later, her body was discovered in a ditch in a forested area southwest of the city. The crime scene revealed several pieces of evidence, including a bullet, her coat, shoes, and a white communion purse containing her prayer book—yet the killer remained unknown for years.
Recent investigative efforts using updated technology, particularly a fingerprint found on the strap of Gloria’s purse, led to McInerney being identified as the perpetrator. Chicago police had formed a task force that interviewed over 1,300 individuals and conducted numerous polygraph tests in their quest for justice.
At the time, law enforcement didn’t have access to the same advanced tools we see today. For instance, K-9 units, which might have proved helpful in tracking leads, didn’t become common until later on. Michael Gould, a former member of the NYPD’s K-9 unit, noted how tracking dogs could have significantly aided the investigation.
The detectives did not give up, working alongside state police and the FBI over the years. Ultimately, the preservation of DNA and fingerprint evidence allowed for breakthroughs that were unimaginable just a couple of decades ago. Gould suggests this case could potentially lead to uncovering more victims linked to McInerney, as he believes this wasn’t an isolated incident.
What adds to the horror of this case, Gould points out, is the possibility that McInerney used his position as a police officer to gain Gloria’s trust before luring her into his vehicle. It raises deeply troubling questions about safety and trust, particularly for children who are taught to rely on law enforcement.
McInerney’s tenure in law enforcement lasted for 28 years before he retired and moved to Las Vegas. His actions left a lasting impact on Gloria’s family, with the police department acknowledging that closure remains elusive for those who loved her. They expressed hope that the recent developments might bring some semblance of peace to those affected by this long-standing tragedy.
While the Kowalewicz family’s spokesperson did not provide any comments, the Chicago Police Department made it clear that McInerney should never have worn the badge, and it’s a devastating truth that he was never held accountable during his lifetime.
