The times., 1898-05-09
cORBEY's LAST ROLL CALL
sensational Suicide of a Well
Known District Policeman.
HE ANSWERED WITH A SHOT
When His Name Was Reached Mt
Roll Call He Blew Out His Brains
The Tragedy Caused by False
Charges Against Him Which Pro-
duced Mental Alteration.


charged in the Police Court several days
ago with the larceny of a watch, but was
honorably acquitted by the jury commit
ted suicide about / O'Clock yesterday af-
ternoon in the Sixth Precinct station
house by shooting himself through the
head
II Is the opinion of his brother police
men that Corbey suffering from alb
erration of the mind, brought about by
brooding over the false charge which was
made against him, when he ended his life
so suddenly.
The circumstances attending the shoot
ing are peculiarly weird and were grave
ly discussed by Lieut.. Kelly and his men
last night. Corbey was relieved from
dog watch at O'Clock yesterday morn
ing. He went to his home, No. 5O7 E
Street northeast and ate sparingly of his
breakfast. His wife noticed that he was
downcast and respondent About 10
O'Clock he left home and returned to the
station house.
Answ cred With "a Shot
A few minutes before the roll call at |
o'clock yesterday afternoon. Corbey went
into the squad room at the station to
prepare himself for street duty during the
afternoon. He was polishing his belt and
badge when the command, Fall in" was
given.
Instead of taking his place In line. he
quietly proceeded to the large sleeping
apartment on the second floor His ab-
sence from the line was not noticed at
first, and Lieut.. Kelly began to call the
roll.
Turner, Brennan. Bateman" To
these came the clear responses. Here"
Corbeys name was fourth on the list
Lieut.. Kelly continued:
'COrbey.''
The sharp report of a pistol from the
upper room gave Corbey's response and
told that he had answered mis- last roll
call The lieutenant ceased the call i'm
mediately.
What was that noise?" he asked
One OF the policemen replied that it was
made BY prisoner in the cells.
20 BACK and see what is wrong with
Corbey. commanded Lieut.. Kelly.
Several policemen ran UP stairs. They
found the missing man lying back on a
cot, with blood streaming from a wound
over his right eve. On the next cot lay
his revolver still smoking Corbey was
stiil alive but unconscious and his brains
despatched the bed.
DIS Chamberlain, Gladman, Carr and
Juenneman quickly responded and did
what they could for the diving policeman
but he breathed his last at 3:9O o'clock
After the body had been viewed by the
coroner 1t was removed 70 his home
Could Not Bear Disgrace.
Richard a. COrbey was a good officer.
of genial disposition and liked by all
who knew him. He was of an extremely
sensitive disposition, and his trial in the
Police Court on the charge of larceny
several days ago preyed so heavily upon
his mind that his reason became unbal-
anced. On Saturday night after retiring
at the station house he acted so queerly
that Policemen DAILY and Lanahan feared
he might attempt some rash act, and
they, therefore. watched over him all
night.
Speaking to Policeman Wiggans. he
said everybody believed him guilty of the
crime with which he had been charged,
And" he added. II cannot stand this
awful strain much longer"
Mrs. Emma Corbey, the dead police
mans young wife, said he had been acting
strangely ever since the accusation had
been made against him, and she believes
he had been demented for several days
before the tragedy.
Lieut.. Kelly spoke in high terms of
Corbey. and gave ii as his opinion that
he was suffering from temporary aberra-
ton when he shot himself.
Leaves Wife and Child.
Corbey was twenty-six years of age.
He came here from the vicinity of Lau-
rel. Md. where he was born. and had
been on the police force about four years.
Shortly before he became policeman and
while a member of the District fire de-
partment ne married Miss Emma Wood.
and one child. a boy two years OF age, is
the result of the union. His family re-
side at Ammendale, Prince George Coun-
ty, Md.
Mr.. Corbey was a member of the Po-
lice Relief Fund Association and his night
beat was from II to X and Fourth TO
Fifth Streets northwest, his day beat
embracing the territory between Fifth
and Seventh and D and G. Streets. Ar
rangements for the funeral will be COM
pleted today.