The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-18
WAS OFFICER MEEK HASTY?
The Police Commissioners Will Inquire
Into the Shooting of Walsh.
What the Law Requires Policeman to Do
Before Using His Pistol-Patrolman
Meek's Record on the Force.

| body yesterday who had read the newspaper &C
counts, and, opinion varying but little reduced
the question to did the officer exercise good
| judgment and common sense in firing at WalshP
| 1t is admitted that the circumstances of the
attack on the officer were of an aggravated
character. Then, say some, if as
private citizen he would probably
be acquitted in prosecution arising out of the
same circumstances how far this be &C
cepted in extenuating his act as police oficer9
Meek had the right to arrest Walsh for what he
| had done, but being INSTRUCTED in that right by
the offender running away, did he have the right
| to shoot him until every other means to capture
| him faied2 With the question in this shape, a
Journal reporter sought information from the
police authorities to what regulations, if any,
controlled officers in firing at persons trying to
escape arrest 1t was found that specific in
structions have ever been given to police in this
matter. Police Commissioner Murphy said
officers had been cautioned about any
rash use of the pistol and had been advised
that shooting not to hit was safer than shooting
to hit. Captain Campbell did not know Of any
instructions specifically. The conditions of ne
cessity for shooting were to be judged by each
officer. Other policemen stated substantially
the same thing. From this another question
comes: Is Meek just the man to trust under
conditions that make an arrest difficult by the
offender resisting or running away? His bravery
is not doubted but all who know him say he is
high tempered apt to lose his balance under ex-
element and dash ahead regardless of conse-
quences. Said a gentleman yesterday; II do
not admire the man. He always appeared to
me to be one, using the slang of the street, who
was fond of splitting over his shoes, or, in word,
.what-d'ye-soy' sort Of fellow"
Meek has been before the Police Commission
ers twice on the charge of drunkenness. The
first occasion before Commissioners Malott
Frenzel and Murphy The charge was sus-
tanned, and a majority of the board were in
clined to dismiss him from the force, but Mr..
Murphy, looking at the matter in the light of
first offense, pleaded for him. Some time after
that Meek gained creditable consideration for
his heroic act in saving the life of a child
from burning building Within the past FIVE
or six weeks he was again before the board for
drunkenness. Then Mr. Murphy advocated his
dismissal but Mr.. Cottrell. who it is said, ad-
mitted that the charges were sustained, voted
for Meeks retention to satisfy feeling of spite
Mr.. Morrison inclined to the merciful side of the
case, and wanted to give the officer another
chance Thus he was retained the force
but as has been learned. against the better
judgment of the board. 1t is due Meek to say
that his superiors regarded him as brave man.
but at the same time they recognized personal
failings which did not altogether fit him for
police officer 1t was apprehended
that his vanity, attributable to self-appreciation
of his unquestionable good appearance. and his
high temper would cause trouble Said gen.
tleman yesterday: Meek always impressed me
as one who had no higher ambition that to be
known as masher" This recalls story. Years
ago, In a. certain city. long before the metropoi
tan or any other police system, except that of
| the dstyle watch was known in this country,
a man by the name of Pye had an important
beat. He was brave. good looking. and had an
excellent opinion of the responsibilities that rest
ing on the walk was always an OBJ
ject of attack from him. He
never failed to announce his approach with,
II am neither apple pie nor peach pie. but Bobby
Pye, OF ward One. Move on gentlemen or I'll
lock you up" Some of Meek's movements as a
conservator of the peace were akin to this. In
arrests he did not, at all times, exhibit commend
able discretion, but in all he has done good
service as an officer. However. it has been a
question whether his imperfect side did not over
shadow whatever merit he had as a policeman
In wo1d he is not the best nor the
worst officer on the force, but by
every one is looked upon as one
integrity. He is no favorite with the tough
element. On one occasion, at ball, several
ruffans attacked him alone. Meek told them
that he would stay there if the building fell in
| from the row that would certainly break out if
they tried to drive him away by force.
| The query then turns to this: Is Meek the
| proper man, aside from his acknowledged cour-
| age to put in a position where his vanity, lack
| of Judgment and liability to do violence in mo-
| the class Of people who are apt to take chances
| against policeman His superior officers are
inclined to think So for they regard his shooting
| Walsh a justifable act. They say they take not
| only his statement, but that of Walsh, who to
| Coroner Stratford. Prosecuting Attorney Hard
| ing and Turnkey Taffe gave the following &C.
count of the affray yesterday:
I, John Walsh. make the following statement be-
lieving that death is Immediately approaching and
that can not live, and that 1 shall die Immediately
from mortal wound, and that am now in the pres
ence of death and apprehend death at from said
mortal wound which received under the following
circumstances the night of Sept IT, 1885. in the
city of indianapolis, Marion county, Indiana.
| Question-Where We're you on the night of Sept.
| 16, 1881
Answer was at Wilams's, corner of Wilkins and
| Tennessee streets.
Q-What is the cause of your suffering now?
Q-Do you know who shot you2
A-That policeman shot mo.
Q-When did he shoot you?
A-Last night.
| Q-What is the name of the policeman who shot
you?
A-His name is Meek.
Q-What were you doing when he shot youl
| Al was running L did not know any
shooting at me until was shot.
Q-What did you do if anything, before the shoot
ing occurreda
Al was looking through the window at them
dancing.
Q-What. if anything did you do to Meek before
you were shot?
Al threw a rock at Meek. / do not know whether
| l hit him or not
| Q-What did you do when you threw the rock9
Al started for home running.
Q-How far were you from Meek when you threw
| the rockl
| Al cannot say. Fifteen or twenty feet.
Q-Why did you throw the rock at Meek2
Al threw it because he ran us away from there.
Q-Do you know what Meek did when you ran?
A-Meek shot me. do not know what else he did.
| Q-Do You make this statement free from malice
| toward Meekl
Ayes, sir. JOHN WALSH.
Made and subscribed to Sept. II, 1885 at O'Clock
| p NJ and subscribed and sworn to before ne a no.
| tary public, this 18th day of September 1885.
| GEORGE A TAFFE, Notary Public.
| Prosecuting Attorney Harding said that it