The Washington critic., 1888-06-14
AN EXCITING EPISODE.
a Drunken Policeman shoots at His
Sergeant.

StfEtHuts
The Sixth Precinct station-Housc ex-
perienced the most exciting episode in its
history few minutes after 6 o'clock last
evening. A squad policemen, among
them Officer William Walters had just
been relieved from duty and were stand
ing in line before the Lieutenant's desk
waiting TO be dismissed. Walters was
considerably under the influence Of
liquor, and whisky bottle could be seen
projecting from his hip pocket. one OF
The squad observing this, and wishing TO
keep walters from getting into trouble,
told HIM to arrange his coat 50 that the
bottle would not be visible. Walters re-
turned the kindness by swearing at his
friend, and Sergeant w. II. Falyey, who
was also coming off duty and considered
himself responsible for the squad, also
spoke TO Walters, cautioning him in re-
gard to the bottle.
Walters treated the Sergeantt to a string
Of oaths, and the latter, considering such
breach ofdiscipline too great violation of
the police code to be overlooked, reported
the drunken officer to Lieutenant Kelly.
The latter, going to where Walters stood,
disposscssed him of his badge, saying;
you will not be required to report here
for further duty until so ordered"
Walters submitted quietly, and, falling
out of ranks, went to the locker room,
where Sergeant Falvey was changing his
clothes preparatory to going home. He
had Just finished dressing and was step
ping out of the room, when Walters, with
drunken passion shining in his eyes, cried
out with an oath.
"pll fix you for this.n
Merely pushing the officer aside, Fal-
vey walked toward the Lieutenants
room, where he intended to submit
formal report of the occurrence. Not
finding the Lieutenant in his Office, the
Sergeant stood with his back toward the
door, awaiting his return, when he heard
John Garner, the station-keeper utter
an exclamation of alarm. Turning
quickly Falvey saw Walters standing in
front Of him and holding pistol leveled
straight at his breast. As Walters finger
closed on the trigger, the Sergeant quickly
threw himself on the Hoor and grasped
| the would-be murderer's legs before the
latter had chance to fire again. The pis-
tol was discharged, but the bullet merely
passed through the Sergeants coat, graz
| ing his shoulder. Walters began beating
| the weapon, and the latter, fearing he
would be knocked senseless, drew his
own pistol and placed it against Walters
abdomen with the intention of pulling
the trigger, when Lieutenant Kelly
seized the mnddened officer from behind
| and wrested his weapon from HIM.
The struggle lasted only few seconds
and the other officers had hardly reached
the scene before it was over. Walters
was at once locked up on charge of as
sault and battery with intent to kill.
Walters is new officer, about whom
little is known besides the fact that he
had been in the army. He was appointed
to the police force about month ago and
had been drinking for several months.
Walters was called out of the prison
ers' dock at the Police Court this morn
ing. John A, Clarke waived examination
and the case was sent to the Criminal
Court and bail was fixed at $1,000. Gen
eral Henkle also appears for the accused.
Walters was born-in 1864 and was ap
pointed on the force on June %, 1887.
He was fresh from the army and was
recommended for appointment by army
officials in high position. There is quite
history connected with badge No. 235
worn by Walters. Since 1885 three men
have worn it, who all got off the force
through misconduct in Office, all o.
whom were appointed under the army
and navy clause. Private s. H. Walker
wore it and was dismissed for intoxica
ton; Private Rolf wore it and was alst
dismissed for plucking flowers out of th,
Capitol Grounds and Walters had it or
when he shot at Sergeant 7Falvey.