Chicago Crime Chronicles Podcast
Finnigan's Take
The story of the rise and fall of notorious Chicago cop Jerry Finnigan, told for the first time ever by him.
From the 7th District tactical team to the elite Special Operations Section, an FBI arrest, and ten years of incarceration — four of them in solitary confinement at Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Center.
All Episodes
- 01Formative YearsOur first conversation details Jerry's youth and the influences that began his trajectory toward becoming a Chicago police officer.
- 02The AcademyJerry decides to take the entry exam and become a cop. His training officer is a seasoned veteran with more than 20 years on the job. Jerry instantly realizes how…
- 037th DistrictJerry is assigned to the 7th District, an area of Chicago that is tantamount to a war zone.
- 04The Tact TeamJerry joins the 7th District tactical team of the Chicago Police Department, where he quickly becomes seasoned in the ways of Chicago's "real police".
- 05Bill FinniganJerry is on duty when he gets a call about a bar fight, but he and his partners blow off the call. Jerry later discovers his eldest brother, Bill, was killed in a…
- 06The MethodologyJerry details his methods for removing guns from the streets of Chicago. While his strategy was not always legal, the results were undeniable.
- 07The ComplainersJerry's success as an aggressive cop pays off not only for him but for his bosses and top brass of the Chicago Police Department. With success come complaints, and the…
- 08SOSJerry joins Special Operations Section, an elite unit that would remove drugs and illegal guns from the streets of Chicago. This roving pack of cops was a freight train…
- 09Burned OutJerry is flaming out in SOS and requests a transfer to Midway Airport. Once there, he quickly realizes crime and conflict have followed him. We detail odd events at…
- 10The Strange Death Of John FinniganJerry is awoken in the middle of the night by an emergency call. His younger brother, John, has died. Jerry races to the scene of the crime to discover that John used…
- 11The Insurance Scam Gone WrongAn investigation into a car insurance scam by a reassigned cop who's now working for the FBI is the catalyst for the start of the end of Jerry and the rogue SOS team.
- 12Chicago's Third RailJerry arrests a gang member who is politically connected to Alderman Ed Burke, a man at the top of Chicago's political power machine. In true Chicago fashion, politics…
- 13ArrestedThe noose is tightening on Jerry as fellow SOS members are talking to the Feds, causing paranoia and deceit in the ranks. Jerry is arrested by the FBI, which begins 10…
- 14IncarcerationJerry spends four years in solitary confinement at the MCC before he settles on a plea deal. He discusses his time in jail and how it shaped his new outlook on life.
- 15The End?Jerry readjusts to life outside of jail and addresses accusations of crimes leveled against him. He also discusses the notorious "Hunting Photo". We end with a Q & A…