Chicago Drake Hotel Robbery Medals Not strictly military but still interesting

[Fred Borgmann]

The Drake Hotel Robbery Medal

 

The Drake Hotel was a classy hotel and restaurant on Chicago's Lake Michigan Gold Coast. July 29, 2025 will mark the centennial of the Drake Hotel robbery when an impromptu gang of five semi-intoxicated near-do-wells were led to believe that robbing the Drake would get them some easy money. The robbery resulted in the murder of a hotel clerk and the deaths of two of the robbers in a classic running gun battle with police (including several hi-jacked and commandeered cars) as the robbers tried to make their escape. Two of the robbers were captured and ended up being hanged. The fifth robber got away with about $10,000 in cash and was never caught. The actual chase involved both Chicago and Lincoln Park policemen, eight of whom were honored for their heroism with $100 cash awards from the Chicago Tribune and gold medals. The gold medals were awarded by the Central Uptown Chicago Association and were made by Spies Brothers of Chicago.

 

The eight policemen presented with gold medals were Lincoln Park Policemen;

Peter Annen

John Broecker

Clarence Dalof

Patrick Hannigan

John Kelly

Charles Kiefer

Arthur Wingren

Chicago Policeman;Walter Noonan.

The medal is suspended from a gold broach engraved “ HEROISM” and marked solid gold on the back. The medal is 34.45 mm and is a cast (?) planchet with an applied gold strip edge to which the suspension loop is attached. Total weight is 15.2 grams with a matt finish. The design is a cut out and applied allegorical woman holding a wreath in her extended left hand and a polished shield with the monogram CK at her right side. The reverse has the nine line inscription

“PRESENTED TO OFFICER CHARLES KIEFER BY CENTRAL UPTOWN CHICAGO ASSOCIATION FOR HEROISM IN DRAKE HOTEL ROBBERY JULY 29,1925 “ above the smaller Spies Bros. Chi.

The medal must have had a ribbon originally but there is no record of one to be found so I added a blue ribbon.

[Allen0820]

Those 1st responders have my complete gratitude and admiration. I spent 22 years as a civilian Law Enforcement Agency and my son is a deputy sheriff in Fla.  My heartfelt thanks to those "cops" who put it on the line!

[Allen0820]

should have said working as a civilian IN A L.E.O.  Gotta remember to check my grammer twice before submitting once 😒 My apologies.

[mikie]

Well that is interesting. And it’s a really good looking design. Thanks for posting about it! 
mikie

[Fred Borgmann]

Thanks guys!  I have often wondered if this site might have enough interest  for a police and fire medals section.

[collectsmedals]

I have been to the Drake Hotel  in Chicago, never knew about this,

[manayunkman]

I stayed there in 1989.

[postmedic]

That is a very classy design and well deserved to the recipients.  Thanks for posting!