Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19

Lieut.. John r. Sutton, in charge of the
harbor police precinct, had his left leg
amputated at the knee yesterday after
noon at George Washington University
Hospital. His condition late late night
was said to be favorable.
Lieut.. Sutton has been ill with diabetes
for long time. About two months ago
he was forced to be away from his post
at the harbor Office because of failing
health.
Several days ago three toes of his left
foot were amputated. The progress of
the disease was not checked. DR.. Wilbur
II. R. Brandenburg. his attending ply
stefan, with the patients consent. yes
terday amputated the leg.
Sutton to Be Retired.
Lieut.. Sutton will be retired from the
force. possibly with the rank of captain.
Maj. Sylvester has been ready for some
time to retire him on account of dis
ability. Lieut.. Sutton himself has hoped
that he could be retired at the end of
this month, June 30, the close of the
fiscal year, with the higher rank.
Sergt. Russell Dean, next ranking officer
of the harbor Office, is next in line for
promotion to be lieutenant in charge of
the harbor precinct. He has been con-
nected with the river force since 1883
Sergt. Dean is regarded as one Of the
best pilots the Potomac river. He
knows every stream emptying into it, and
all shoals and other danger points.
He performs the duty of pilot of the
police boat on her tours of police duty in
the absence of Lieut.. Sutton. He first
served on the metropolitan force in 1885,
doing duty in the fourth precinct, and was
transferred to the harbor police in 1855
Stopped Lawless Fishing.
Shortly after Maj. Sylvester was ap-
pointed game and fish warden of the Dis
trict Of Columbia he enlisted Lieut.. SUIT
ton in the special work of protecting fish
and game. In this work Lieut.. Sutton has
met with much success.
For many years unlawful fishing was
engaged in by fishermen who cast their
nets in the darkness of night. Lieut..
Sutton put stop to this.
Law-breaking hunters also came under
the crusade started kv Lieut.. Sutton
Numerous arrests were made on the
marshes and along the river opposite the
Water street wharves.
With the establishment of the harbOr
police force, with Lieut.. Sutton in COM
mand, bodies of many suicides and others
who met death by accident have been re-
covered from the river.
Native of Washington.
Lieut.. Sutton is a native of Washing
ton and is sixty-three years of age. He
was first appointed to the force In 1873.
and assigned to the fifth, now the first.
precinct.
In 1873 he was detailed as oyster and
fish inspector, in which position he re-
manned until 1888. when he was ap-
pointed harbor master. When he &C
copied this position he resigned from the
force, as the position was not then con-
nected with the police service.
He was again commissioned with police
authority in 1888, the position of harbor
master at that time having been made
part of the police force. In 1905 the
harbor police service and the Office of
harbor master were merged. and Lieut..
Sutton was appointed, with the rank and
title of lieutenant and harbor master.
In May, 1883, Lieut. Sutton was au-
thorized by the District Commissioners to
go to New York and purchase a police
boat. In June of that year the Vigilant
went into commission, with officers and
crew vested with full police authority.
In Confidence of Chief.
Lieut.. Sutton is regarded as one of the
best officers in the police service, and en-
joys the confidence of Maj Sylvester an
the District Commissioners and all the
large and small business interests on the
river front. where he operates.
He is prominently identified with the
Masonic order, being a member OF CO.
lumbia Lodge, No. 3, F. A. A. NJ; Mount
Vernon Chapter, No. 3, r. A. M; Eastern
Star Ruth Chapter, No. 1. and with the
Association Of the Oldest Inhabitants OF
the District of Columbia, Veteran Fire
mems Association, Pilots Association.
Game and Fish Protective Association
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