Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-17
SOLDIER WOUNDS
POLICEMAN; FLEES
Artilleryman, Accused of Rob-
berry, Shoots Bicycle Patrol
man; Escapes.

Bicycle Policeman J. J. Bourke of the
seventh precinct last night was shot
through the fieshy part OF the left
thigh by an artilleryman whom he was
pursuing to arrest on a charge OF rob
oery. Tho shooting occurred in Cis-
sci alley. just south of the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal between Wisconsin ave-
nue. and Potomac street The wounded
policeman was taken TO Georgetown
University Hospital.
James W. Pitcher. 2o2 18th street
southwest. who does an automobile
hacking business, complained the SOL
der who shot the policeman and an
other soldier. both artiIierymen, had
robbed him OF $3.50 at the point of a
revolver while on the Military road
between the south end Of Aqueduct
bridge and Fort Myer 1t was after
their return to the city that the shoot
ing of the policeman occurred
Pitcher was on the stand at Pennsyl-
wanna avenue and 10th street about
1915 O'Clock. he stated. when two artii-
lerymen came along and engaged him
to take them to Fort Myer TO visit
friends. they stated. He agreed to take
them and was about half way between
the south end of the bridge and the
military post when. he said, his passen-
gers commanded hum TO stop the car.
Went Through Pockets.
"I stopped" he told the police land
one man pointed a revolver at me while
the other went through my pockets"
Relating his story to the police. Pitch
er said he was ordered to return TO the
city with the soldiers, and he gladly
did so. feeling that he was fortunate
back to the bridge over the military
road and felt relieved when he got in
sight of the city lights. but it was not
until he had crossed the bridge that he
really felt he was secure.
AS his car approa ched Wisconsin avenue
and NJ street, he said he saw a policeman
standing on the corner. He quickly made
up his mind to invoke the aid of the po-
he shut off his engine and called to the
policeman: These men robbed me-" Both
soldiers jumped from the car and started
on a run, the policeman following one of
him and was about to place him under
arrest when he turned and fired one shot
at him.
Passed Through Legs.
The shock of the bullet passing through
his legs was SO gerat that he had to
abandon the pursuit and let the soldier
get away. Bourke said he was certain the
soldier dropped his revolver after firing
the shot. but when other policemen went
to Cissell alley and searched for it they
were unable to find it.
After shooting the policeman the SOL
der ran through the alley and made a
turn in the direction of the river,
where he was lost sight Of. 1t is be-
lieved he turned and went eastward,
returning over the canal on one of the
bridges east of Wisconsin avenue
p Bourke was taken to Georgetown
University Hospital in a passing auto
mobile. Surgeons said the policeman
was not dangerously wounded.
Detective Sweeney was sent to the
scene of the shooting from police head
quarters, and Detective Scrivener of
the seventh precinct and uniformed
members of that command took part in
the investigation. The investigation
took them to Potomac Park, where. it
is stated, artillerymen are on duty,
and late in the night a suspect was in
custody at the police station