Jack Whalen
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(December 2012) |
Jack Whalen | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Enforcer |
| Born | May 11, 1918 Missouri,U.S. |
| Died | December 2, 1959(aged 41) Sherman Oaks,California,U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Spouse(s) |
Kay Sabichi (m.1943) |
| Other work | Mob Contract Killer |
Jack Whalen(May 11, 1918 – December 2, 1959), also calledJack O'Haraand "The Enforcer," was a criminal and freelancecontract killerandbookie,who worked for theLos Angeles crime family,although he also was associated withBenjamin "Bugsy" Siegel,the Shannon brothers (Joe, Izzy, Moe, and Max) andMickey Cohenduring the 1940s and 1950s.[2]
Life
[edit]Jack F. Whalen was born inMissourion May 11, 1918. Whalen's father, Fred—who was also a career criminal—had enrolled Jack inmilitary schoolto give his son a better life. Jack playedpoloin school and piloted bombers inWorld War II.After the war, he married into a rich family in Los Angeles; however, by 1955, his own criminal career had begun. He was soon called "The Enforcer" because he was "so tough he didn't need a gun."[3]
Death
[edit]
On December 2, 1959, Whalen was shot "square between the eyes" and killed at Rondelli's restaurant inSherman Oaksin the presence of Mickey Cohen and three other of his associates.[4]Sam Frank LoCigno, although claiming self-defense, was charged with, but later acquitted of, the murder. Whalen was 41 years old at the time of his death.[5]
In popular culture
[edit]Whalen is depicted in the 2013 filmGangster Squadby actorSullivan Stapleton. Whalen is also a featured character inJames Ellroy's novelL.A. Confidential;as part of the power struggle forMickey Cohen's criminal empire against gangster Morris "Mo" Jahelka.
References
[edit]- ^Lieberman, Paul (7 August 2012).Gangster Squad: Covert Cops, the Mob, and the Battle for Los Angeles.Macmillan.ISBN9781250020116.RetrievedFebruary 18,2019.
- ^Bunker, Edward.Education of a Felon: A Memoir.New York:St. Martin's Press,2000. (pg. 54)ISBN0-312-28076-9
- ^Unlikely pals' luck changes
- ^Juvenile Delinquency: Hearings before a Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency.Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1971. (pg. 3255)
- ^"Jack 'the Enforcer' Whalen Killed".Los Angeles Times.December 3, 2009.RetrievedFebruary 18,2019.
External links
[edit]- "Jack Whalen".Find a Grave.RetrievedJune 24,2013.
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