Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-10-31
G|ROUX DISCHARGED.
The Police Officer Stripped
of His Buttons.
HEARING LAST EVENING.
The Patrolman Was the Worst Wit
ness Against Himself.

A special meeting OF the Board OF AL
dermen was held last evening to hear the
charges preferred against Offcer Giroux
by Chief OF Police Perry.
His Honor Mayor Brown was in the
chair and all the members Of the Board
were present, while space room outside
the rail was crowded with spectators.
The charges were TO the effect that on
last Tuesday Giroux dubbed Peter John
son without just cause.
Joseph Osheld, JI, appeared for John
son and James l.. jerks for the defendant.
Mayor Brown called he mem bers to order
at $40 o'clock.
After the charges were read tho COM
plsinant's witnesses were heard and the
versions OF the affair were similar TO what
they said last " ednesday and which the
TRIBUNE published.
Councilman Peter Lennon said Giroux
struck johnson on top OF the head with
his ciuo and when he objected the officer
said he would give him the same. lie
thought Johnson was sober at the time.
Charles Fifeld and Arthur Fifield did
not see Glroux strike johnson, but heard
the blow, ran out and saw the officer,
Johnson and the crowd.
Frank Arnold's story was similar. All
he saw was Johnson bleeding.
John Blnford said Johnson struck at
the officer before he VAS hit.
Joseph Ellington saw the whole affair
and did not believe that Giroux meant TO
nit Johnson on the head.
DIR. Lane, who attended johnson at the
police station at the time OF the affair,
said johnson bad wound over the eye,
from which he miglh have bled to deaf h
IN 30 minutes, hut that Il was made wit
a stone or brick and could not be made
with a club. The other wound OF note
WAS on the scalp, and, while not danger
Gus, might have caused him to fall down.
This was made with a club.
Besides these wounds were number Of
scratches.
DIR. Michael Grandfeld, who attended
Johnson afterward, testified In regard to
his injuries.
Cleveland Lovely, Albert Coggeshall
and Edward Stearns saw more or less OF
the affair, but their testimony did not
throw any new light on It.
Officer Giroux was sworn and his testi-
mony was similar to what he told the
Chief and WAS that he met Johnson on
Main street early In the evening, and
seeing that he was badly under the in
fiuencei OF liquor advised him to go home.
Johnson went up North Main street and
ltaIi -, had N
| fracas. Witness went up TO him and told
him he woul1 have to lock him up. John
| son ran, the witness going after him, but
| was unable to catch him. When he had
| about reached him he struck at him with
| his club, Johnson went about fifteen feet,
| stumbled and fell.
When asked II he intended to hit John
son on the head he said he meant to hit
| him no matter where he struck. THIS
was by far the worst statement made
either by Giroux or any other witness.
lie then TOOK him to the station.
After arguments by the counsel the
Board went into executive session and
adopted an ordinance discharging Giroux
from the force.
Officer Giroux was appointed on the
police force Nov. 8, 1887, and resigned
May q, 1890. He was reappointed June
%, 1892, and was suspended June 25, 1892
That was at the time the ten
men were appointed by Acting Mayor
Davis In the absence OF Mayor Carroll.
Giroux was reinststed with the other
nine Jan. 2, 1893, when the Repu ican
city government was insugurated.