James Curtin, 82 a Chicago police officer for 35 years, died Tuesday of a heart attack at Drury Lane Theater in Evergreen Park. He was a resident of the Edison Park neighborhood. Among his first assignments as a patrol officer was working undercover during an investigation of illegal gambling boats on Lake Michigan. He retired in 1976. A month later, he went to work for the Cook County Highway Department, where he handled permits and road specifications for 13 years. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; two sons, Denis and John; a daughter, Anne Donovan; and four grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in M.J. Suerth Funeral Home, 6754 N. Northwest Highway. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Juliana Catholic Church, 7201 N. Oketo Ave.
