New-York tribune., 1922-12-11
Policeman, in Deep Sleep,
Thinks He Hears Call to
Work and Drops Pistol; (;
Wound May Cause Death
Suicide Attempt,
Is Mates Thought
Screams When She Sees
Husband With Weapon
After a Minor Quarrel

Grover Wolf, n patrolman attached
10 the police force Of Orange, N. j.
startled by his ~ife's screams, dropped
revolver he had snatehed up last
night while under the influence Of n
vivid dream that II was past time for
him 10 report at the police station. and
the weapon was discharged, the bullet
entering his chest just above the heart.
The wound probably will prove fatal.
HIS wife, entering the room and see
ing her husband confronting her with
revolver in his hand and his eyes
fixed in a stare that gave no sign Of
recognition. thought him suddenly de-
mented and about to kili himself be-
cause Of an unimportnnt dispute they
had had a short time before.
Wolf and his fouryear-old daughter
had spent the greater part OF the day
walking or riding in trolley cars. II
was dark when they reached their home,
at i2i Commerce Street, Orange. Mrs.
Wolf. whose dinner had been spoiled,
upbraided her husband. IL was too
cold, me said, for the little girl 70 be
outdoors all day.
Hears Police Gong in Dream
Wolf replied that II was fine day
and they had had a wonderful time. The
rosy-cheeked child afforded no cor
roborativo evidence for Mrs. Wolf. and
she placed some warmed-oyer dishes
on the table for her husband and
hustled the little girl OF to bed.
After he had eaten Wolf fell asleep
In his chair. He was asleep only a
few minutes, but II seemed 10 him In
his dream that an hour OF more had
passed. He started from his chair
with the din Of the gong In the police
station which ne had heard in his
dream ringing in his ears.
Conscious only that the clangor
meant that he was late for his tour Of
duty, he stumbled into bis room,
snatched his service revolver from the
drawer OF n dresser and hastened to
the dining room, preparatory Tor
dash 20 the police station.
As he entered the dining room his
wife came In By another door. The re-
volver and the fixed. unsceing stare in
her husbands eyes caught her atten-
ton at once. She screamed.
There was a elatter and a sharp re-
port as the revolver fell from the hand
OF the policeman and was discharged
on striking the floor. Wolf stumbled
and fell. His wife, running 10 his side,
found a bullet wound above the heart,
and called a physician. Wolf was taken
10 Orange Memorial Hospital. His
chance for recovery is slight.
Until detectives had talked with him
at the hospital his conseienee-strieken
wife believed that her hasty words TO
him on his return with their child had
caused him 70 attempt 10 end his life.
The police believe Wolfs version Of
the incident, however, and are con-
yinced II was an accident.
Had Ample Time 10 Report
They think that the clatter Of dishes
or some other household noise pene-
trated VOLTS Consciousness sufficiently
while he was asleep 20 inspire the
dream that he was late for duty and
the station house gong was ringing
They believe he was so thoroughly
under tha influence OF the dream as
virtually 20 be still asleep when he
stumbled out Of his room with the re.
yolver in his hand, and that the scream
Of his wife which recalled him 20 him
self startled him into dropping the
weapon.
II was $3.50 p. m. when the accident
occurred. Wolf was TO go on duty At
7 D. m. and had ample time to reach
the police station.
He Is thirty years old and has been
member OF the Orange police de-
partment two years He was in the
army for eleven years, aud served
overseas during the war with the rank
Of lieutenant.