Nickname(s) The Enforcer Other work Mob Contract Killer Allegiance United States Name Jack Whalen | Years of service 1944–1946 Battles and wars World War II Battles/wars World War II | |
Born May 11, 1918
Missouri, U.S. ( 1918-05-11 ) Spouse(s) Kay Sabichi (1943-1959, his death) Died December 2, 1959, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States Service/branch United States Army Air Forces | ||
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Jack Whalen (May 11, 1918 – December 2, 1959), also called Jack O'Hara and "The Enforcer," was a criminal and freelance contract killer and bookie, who worked for the Los Angeles crime family, although he also was associated with Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, the Shannon brothers (Joe, Izzy, Moe, and Max) and Mickey Cohen during the 1940s and 1950s.
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Life
Jack F. Whalen was born on May 11, 1918 in Missouri. Whalen's father Fred—who was also a career criminal—had enrolled Jack in military school to give his son a better life. Jack played polo in school and piloted bombers in World 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."
Death
On December 2, 1959, Whalen was shot "square between the eyes" and killed at Rondelli's in Sherman Oaks by Sam Frank LoCigno, in the presence of Mickey Cohen and three other of his associates. LoCigno were charged but later acquitted of the murder. Whalen was 41 years old at the time of his death.
In popular culture
Whalen is depicted in the 2013 film Gangster Squad by actor Sullivan Stapleton. Whalen is also a featured character in James Ellroy's novel L.A. Confidential; as part of the power struggle for Mickey Cohen's criminal empire against, gangster Morris "Mo" Jahelka.