July 22, 1934 - FBI enemy No. 1 killed

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John Dillinger shot by FBI

The most famous American gangster of the 1930ies John Dillinger was shot dead by FBI officers in Chicago.

John was born 1903 in Indianapolis and had nick names such as "Jackrabbit" and "Public Enemy No. 1." during the Great Depression. On July 21, 1923 Dillinger stole a sedan outside of a church and was placed under arrest. However John was able to slip loose from the officers. He was aware of the fact he couldn't go back home so decided to join the US Navy a day after.

He realized military life was not good for him and jumped ship after 5 months, married teenager in 1924 and tried to settle down. The couple stayed in the house of wife's parents as both had no job or income. His first robbery took place in a grocery story - he was caught and sentenced for 20 years to prison. During prison time he gained a lot friends and his real fame began on May 10, 1933, when he was paroled from prison. First thing he did was robbing a bank in Ohio and got arrested. He escaped a while later robbed a lot banks, founded a gang, robbed more banks - got arrest and more. All within a short time frame. On July 22, 1934 he got shot - his mistake was to steal the car of a Sheriff.

The death of Dillinger is called the beginning of the end of the gangster era and the re-birth of the then so-called FBI.

Sources: Biography.com and New York Times