The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-02-05
SEIZED ASCAR THIEF,
STAYS A DETECTIVE
John Meade of Irvington, Nj,
Gives Finnigan No Chance
to Dodge His Bullet.
DIsARMED AND CAUGHT
Two Other Policemen Aiding
in Arrest Unable to Pre-
vent Murder.

Detective william Finnigan OF the
Irvington IN. J) police torcc died last
night at st. Michaels Hospital. Newark,
Of bullet wound inflicted by a prisoner
he was taking to Jail in an automobile.
Finnigan's prisoner was John Meade
been arrested on suspicion OF having
stolen an automobile. The detective was
seated beside the prisoner in the rear
seat of an other automobile. driven by
Patrolman Robert ziegler, when Meade
drew a revolver from concealment some
where in his clothing and shot the de-
;ectiye in the abdomen. His action was
so quick that Finnigan did not have an
opportunity to fight for his life He died
on an operating table as surgeons were
preparing TO pnsse for the bullet
After firing tbs shot Meade broke
away from Patrolman Zicgler, who had
disarmed him in struggle. and ran
down the street, pursued by Ziegler and
another policeman, Walter Engeman.
They overlook him before he had run
block.
Warrant Held for Months.
A warrant for the arrest of Meade.
who was suspected of the theft of an
automobile. had been carried by Detec-
tive Finnigan for several months.
Yesterday Finnigan and Engeman saw
an automobile standing in front of
Meades home, and when Meade left
the house the warrant was served on
him. He denied that he had stolen
the automobile, but told the officers
that he was a bootlegger, according to
the police. A telephone call was sent
10 headquarters and Patrolman Ziegler
went with an automobile to the Meade
home to assist the arresting officers In
getting their prisoner to headquarters.
Engeman started for headquarters
with the car that had been found in
front OF Meade's home. and the motor
driven by Ziegler trailed along Clinton
avenue behind it, with Finnigan seated
beside the prisoner in the rear seat.
Meade did not appear to be danger
Gus man. and no precautions had been
taken by the officers to prevent his
escape.
The automobiles had covered only a
few blocks Of the distance to headquar-
ters when Ziegler. shocked by the sudden
report of a revolver, turned and saw
Detective Finnigan lying on the floor OF
the car. He was crying, I'VE been
shot" and Meade. badly frightened. was
twisting at the knob of one of the doors
trying to get out OF the car.
shooter Puts Up n Fight.
Meade still was holding in his hand
v,o n
the detective. Patrolman Ziegler, quickly
stopping the automobile, and directing
Engeman. at the same, to stop the one
he was driving. leaped over the back
of the front seat and grabbed Meade.
Meade put UP a struggle, but after the
patrolman had wrenched the revolver
from his hand he broke away. jumped
over the side OF the car and ran down
the street. Both Eegler and Enseman
went in pursuit and overlook Meade
after short chase.
While one of the officers held Meade
the other drove with Finnigan to the
home of DR.. William III. Woodworth. at
1858 Clinton avenue. First aid was
given by DIR. Woodwork, after which
the wounded officer was rushed to the
hospital in Newark. He died few
minutes after reaching there.
Detective Einnlgan had been a MEM
Der of the police force for seven years,
and during the last year he had been
on plain clothes duty. He was mar
ried and the father of five children.
Their home is at 90 Washington avenue,
Irvington.
Police records show Meade was ar
rested in April, 1920, for driving an
automobile without q license. and that
he was fined 500 for the offense by an
Irvington Police Magistrate.