Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

! tan police force in 1861 five of its men,
| bers have been killed in the line of duty.
There has been only one execution for the
murder of officer. In two 1.-The cases
the defendants were tried and acquitted.
and in another instance the officer killed
his slayer Taylors case is the fifth case.
The first member of the force to lose his
life was officer Francis M. Doyle, who
was killed by Mrs. John Shea in South
Washington. He lost his life while assist
ing other officers to serve a search warrant
at Mrs. Shea's house. She greeted the Off
GERS with revolver in her hand and de-
manded to know by what authority they
were entering her house. A scuffle for
possession of the weapon ensued ana the
officers death was the result. Mrs. Shea
was acquitted on the ground that the kill
ing was accidental.
1t was not until September 9. 1884, that
another officer was killed This time Police
man Fowler, who was detailed for duty
with the chain gang, was shot and almost
instantly killed by John, alias "Guinea"
Langster, colored. The latter escaped from
the chain gang, and when overtaken by the
officer a terrible struggle ensued, during
which the colored man got possession of the
officers revolver and used 1t with deadly eff
feet After an exciting chase through
houses ard yards the murderer was caught
| in house near 4th and ID streets. Police
man John Boland made the capture, and
was commended for his bravery. Langster
died on the sCaffold.
XIII Each Other.
Policeman A. N. Crippen of the second
precinct the next victim of a murderer.
Frank Bush, colored, killed him, and
shot from the officers weapon at the same
time ended the life of Bush. This hap
pened November 6, 1889. Frank Bush, who
had had trouble with Osborne Basey, also
colored, called the latter from pool room
and killed him. When pursued Bush ran
IN he second of lunch room near
18th and Q streets, with the officer close be-
hind him. 1t was when Crippen was as
cending the stairs that the fatal shots were
fired.
Mounted Policeman J. B. Slack was stab
bed and fatally wounded by Charles l. My
ers November 26, 1891. He was STABBED
about the groin and breast with pulcher
knife. Death resulted the day after he was
wounded. The officer and his slayer were
next-door neighbours and the former went
to the latter's premises, as he supposed. IN
the line of duty with the result stated Dur
ing the struggle Myers arm was broken
and he was beaten about the head A plea
of self-defense made and the accused
man was acquitted.
Since the killing of Officer Slack num-
Der of policemen have been roughly ham
died. but not until Sergeant Passau was
murdered Yesterday did any of the assaults
prove fatal.
An Early Indictment.
The case of Olmstead Taylor, alias Buck
Brown, VINO inquired SO prominently III 'liN
excitement yesterday on Fowler's Hill, Will
be called to the attention of the grand jury
tomorrow by United States Attorney Davis.
The prisoner will be indicted, so 1t is be-
lieved, in very few days for the murder
of Sergeant Fritz Passau. and no unneces-
Sary delay viii ensue in calling the case
for trial
Nothing was known at the city hall up to
late hour this afternoon of any effort on
the part of the Maryland authorities to Sc
cure the removal of the prisoner to that
state for trial in connection with the Rosen
stein murder.
Substantial Aid.
A number of clerks in room 221 United
States patent office, have this to say:
while all proud of the manner in
which the people are responding in the
substantial way to express their appre-
citation of Admiral Dewey, we also feel
that should not overlook those whose
lives are given in preserving order and life
in our midst.
Enclosed please find a check for s. for
the widow of Police Sergeant Passau.'
This afternoon Major Sylvester received
a letter from eX-Detective Block, together
with donation for the widow of the muir
dered officer. He suggests that a home for
the widow and children be purchased by
the citizens.
The following subscriptions for the bene-
fit of the widow of Sergeant Passau have
been received by The Evening Star:
p. T. N, w. S c., NJ. f. c.. +. f. s.
f. K, room 221 L. S. Patent Office. 90
Iotai' 81 90