Evening star., 1923-02-26
POLICEMAN SHOOTS
BROTHER OFFICER
F.. G. STANCE May Die-Was
',' Pursued After Al.
legged Theft.

With bullet in his head. Police
man Fred G. STANCE, f1fty-nine, lies
| near death in Emergency Hospital
today as the result of Il shot fired
by Precinct Detective Thomas O'Don-
nell of the fourth precinct, who was
pursuing STANCE and Ruby Downs,
another policeman, in an automobile
near Az street and Maine avenue
early this morning.
According to unofficial statements
OF police department officials, O'Don-
nell followed the men from in front
of the fourth precinct on street
southwest near 9th street, after they
had detached Il bumper from an au-
tomobile that had been confiscated in
a prohibition case. The chase went
down II street to Az street, up Az
street to School street. and thence up
9Th street to Maine avenue, where the
automobile in the lead turned and
headed for Az street
Nearing the corner, according to po:
lice, STANCE reached out over the side
as if to throw away the bumper.
ODonnell fired. The bullet passed
through the rear of the machine and
entered Strange's forehead, taking ef-
feet in the brain.
Scant Hope to Live.
DR.. Borden at Emergency Hospital
today held scant hope out for his
recovery. STANCES pulse is weak and
his condition precludes possibility of
operating, it was said. He had made
no statement as to the occurrence to
police at noon today.
The case will be put up to the
district attorney by Capt. Ira Sheetz
of the fourth precinct. the captain
n w
one policeman shoots another during
the chase admittedly were beyond
the grasp Of the police officials and
they said today they would ask for
action from Maj. Peyton Gordon, dis
trict attorney.
Maj. Gordon this morning had not
been presented with the details OF the
case by the police. Speaking from a
hypothetical viewpoint however he
declared that his office would not
countenance the firing upon a fugitive
in case of misdemeanor before ar
rest had been effected nor would he
exonerate policeman from RESPONSE
bility in such a case. He made it plain
that this was on hypothetical basis,
however. and reiterated that the case
had not been presented him officially
sergt. John Maloney OF the fourth
precinct today filed an information in
STANCE charging them with larceny
from the District of Columbia. The
case was continued to March 8, owing
to the condition of STANCE.
O'Donnell continues on duty. STANCE
and Downs are under suspension
pending an investigation. Police of
the fourth precinct today took steps
In Police Court to obtain warrants
charging larceny from the govern
ment in the case. This would put
hrQQch N Of
The two men are understood to be
relatives by marriage Capt. Sheetz
declared this morning, although
O.Donnell is but twenty-eight years
force on December Z, 1918, and had
previously served in the Navy. STANCE
was appointed a policeman on July
3; 1896, Just year after the birth of
the man who fired on him during the
early morning hours today.
Bumper Cannot BE Found.
Ono peculiar point coming to the
the case had not been recovered as
yet. Where it has disappeared to is
mystery. STANCE was about to
throw it from the machine, accord
ing to reports, when the bullet
Section 2ss of the police manual
provides that policemen shall not
use their baton or revolver except in
the most urgent cases Of self defense
and when the circumstances justify
such action" Later. though, the
manual states: "If a felon, such as a
murderer. resists and fees from those
who try to apprehend him, il he can
not otherwise be taken, they may
lawfully kill him."
Whether the "circum stances justify
such action" in this case and whether
a felony had been committed, there
fore are two of the principal points
Of consideration to be placed before
Maj. Gordon by Inspector Harry Pratt
and Capt. Sheetz.