Mike Cronin, storied Chicago police gang investigator, has died at 81

Renowned Chicago Police Gang Investigator Dies at 81

Mike Cronin's unyielding pursuit of justice in the streets of Chicago has left an indelible mark on the city's law enforcement landscape. A decorated Marine who lost his foot and leg to a landmine during the Vietnam War, Cronin defied the odds to become one of the city's most respected and feared gang investigators.

After initially being rejected due to his injuries, Cronin was eventually hired by the Chicago Police Department in 1971, thanks to a personal intervention by Mayor Richard J. Daley's security detail. The rest, as they say, is history. Cronin rose through the ranks to become deputy chief of the department's Narcotics and Gang Investigation Section before retiring in 2006.

What set Cronin apart from his peers was his unwavering commitment to fairness and fearlessness. He earned a reputation for building an intelligence network of trusted informants and securing wiretaps, often working outside the confines of traditional law enforcement protocol. His approach was unorthodox, yet effective, as he gained the trust of gang members and leaders alike.

Gang members still recall Cronin fondly, addressing him affectionately as "Cronie." Despite his tough exterior, those who knew him described a man with a strong sense of respect for everyone, including his adversaries. His mantra was simple: treating people right didn't mean you had to be friends; it meant being able to get the information he needed.

After retiring, Cronin continued to serve as a civilian consultant to the police department, providing guidance on cases that still lingered unsolved years after his initial investigation. This post-retirement role underscored his dedication to justice and his refusal to let even one case go cold.

Mike Cronin's remarkable career serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. His legacy will live on, inspiring future generations of law enforcement professionals to follow in his footsteps and fight for what is right.

.. the life of Mike Cronin has got me thinking about what it means to be a true force for justice . I mean, this guy's story is like something out of a movie - from losing his limbs in war to becoming one of the most respected gang investigators in Chicago history . And you know what's even more amazing? He did it all with this unwavering commitment to fairness and respect for everyone he met, even his adversaries .

It makes me wonder, is it possible to really "get the information" without hurting people along the way ? I mean, Cronin's approach was unorthodox, but effective - but what if we're just treating symptoms instead of addressing the root causes of these gang problems ?

And then there's this idea that you don't have to be friends with someone to get information from them . That's like saying "treat people right" is just a hollow phrase - unless it's accompanied by real, tangible actions .

Anyway, Mike Cronin may be gone, but his legacy lives on . And for that, we should all take a page out of his book and strive to be better versions of ourselves, even if it means getting uncomfortable .

‍ just read about Mike Cronin and I'm blown away ! 4 decades of fighting gangs & corruption as a deputy chief? That's dedication to justice! Did you know that according to the FBI, gang-related violence in Chicago decreased by 75% between 2000-2019 due in part to guys like Cronin leading the charge? Also, his approach to building trust with gangs was super effective - it's estimated he got over 70% of wiretap info from informants . I'm not surprised he's remembered fondly by gang members - treating people right doesn't mean being friends, but getting results

Oh man... this dude was like a legend ! I mean, losing a foot and leg to a landmine? That's just insane But he comes back even stronger, like a total boss ! And the fact that they initially rejected him because of his injuries, but then he goes on to become one of the most respected gang investigators in Chicago? That's what I call perseverance and determination !

And can we talk about how he built this intel network of trusted informants? It's like he had a PhD in building relationships with gang members . And his approach was all about treating people right, not just getting the information he needed . That's what I call class .

I'm literally getting chills reading this article . This dude's legacy is going to live on and inspire so many people . He may be gone, but his impact will never fade .

man this guy was all about fairness & fearlessness, loved how he got people on both sides of the law talkin' his approach was unorthodox but effective, and its awesome that gang members still look up to him fondly it just goes to show you dont have to be friends with someone to get info, just treat 'em right & respect 'em anyway, 81 is old for a cop, hope he got to enjoy his retirement

I don’t usually comment but I just wanted to say that Mike Cronin's story is truly inspiring . I mean, losing a foot and leg due to a landmine is already a huge obstacle, but he still managed to become one of the best gang investigators in Chicago? That's crazy resilient . And it’s not just about his work, but also how he treated people with respect and fairness, even when dealing with gangs . His legacy will definitely live on and I hope more law enforcement professionals take note from his example

I cant help but feel so sad for the family of Mike Cronin . He was more than just a gang investigator, he was a true patriot who risked his life for others during the war, and later on dedicated his life to fighting crime in Chicago . His unorthodox approach may have been unconventional but it clearly worked for him, building trust with the gangs and getting results that many couldn't achieve .

I think its really admirable that he continued to serve as a consultant even after retirement, never letting any case go cold . Thats the kind of dedication and commitment you dont often see in law enforcement careers. And to hear that gang members still speak fondly of him says alot about his character . He wasnt just a tough cop on the streets, he was a man with integrity and respect for everyone he met .

I don't usually comment but this guy Cronie seems like an absolute legend I mean, losing a foot and leg from a landmine and still becoming one of the most respected gang investigators in Chicago? That's just insane He must've had some serious mental toughness to deal with that and then go on to build an intel network and get results without any of the traditional police protocol I'm also kinda impressed that he never lost his sense of respect for people, even if they were gang members or adversaries. It's like he knew that treating people right didn't mean being friends but still getting the job done

I mean can you believe he was rejected due to his injuries and then ended up being one of the most respected gang investigators? That's just crazy talk! And his approach was so unorthodox, but it worked! He wasn't afraid to bend the rules or build relationships with the people he was investigating. It's like he knew that if you're gonna get the job done, sometimes you gotta think outside the box (or in this case, the police station). And can we talk about his dedication? Serving as a consultant even after retirement just shows how much he cared about justice and solving cases. He's def a legend in my book

Man, I'm feeling really old today thinking about Mike Cronin's career... I remember watching cop shows like Miami Vice back in the day, and it was always cool to see those tough detectives go after the bad guys . It's crazy that he went from being rejected due to his injuries to becoming one of the best gang investigators in Chicago . And can you believe he retired in 2006? That was like, before social media even existed ! Anyway, it's awesome that he kept serving as a consultant after retirement, just because one case didn't get solved doesn't mean justice wasn't served . He's definitely an inspiration to anyone who's ever felt like they don't fit the mold or have obstacles in their way .