New Britain herald., 1927-05-06
Patrolman Shot Down While in Pursuit of Suspicious Character Suspected of Bootleg ging.
Gamely Empties Pistol at Man Cr0uched on Ground Despite Painful Wound in Back.

While Officer David Doty lies seriously, though not dangerously wounded, at New Britain General hospital. a gunman who is thought to be about IS years of age is being sought by the police for the shoot ing which occurred shortly after g o'clock last night in the darkness of the yard behind the building known as Quilty's Block at 241245 Elm street. Despite vigilant search of the city by policemen in uniform and in plain clothes, starting a few minutes after the shooting and con- tinuing throughout the night, the gunman has succeeded in evading the clutches of the law. Today, the entire force of the detective bureau was concentrating on the hunt, but word went out that the desired cap- ture is apparently as distant as 1t was at midnight when efforts of the police to break the alibi of one sus- pect who was apprehended, had failed.
 Officer Doty had never seen the gunman until last night, he told Chief Hart and other members of the department at the hospital. He is confident, however, of his ability to recognize him should he see him again. He believes him to be be- tween IS and 22 years of age, hav- ing a smooth face, and of medium lj jfph If n nI ell iOh hJyi1 In wearing light colored clothes, which appeared to be soiled.
 Believed to Have Liquor
 In the opinion of the police, the gunman was carrying liquor, and may have been the proprietor or an employe of blind -tigari Of which it Is reported there are sev- eraf in the vicinity of Elm, East Main, Stanley. and Franklin streets. Officer Doty has been active in liquor cases since being assigned to the East Main street beat the first of the year. Last month, he was transferred to the adjoining beat and has turned in information rela- tive to alleged liquor law violations in the vicinity
 Dr. George w. Dunn performed an operation for removal of the bull let this forenoon. He located 1t in the back, 10 the left of the spine. It entered the back on the right side and struck the spine, which de- fiected it. Dr. Dunn said. He report ed that the operation was success tt,1h h,,f l,o ger because there is always the pos sibility of complications. In his opinion his condition is serious, but not critical.
 The position of the officers body as he reached for his revolver ac- counts for the manner in which the bullet struck him. He was crouch ing, with his right hand in his hol- ster, thus having his body twisted in such way that his back was ex- posed to the fire of the gunman. Otherwise he would have been struck in the chest or stomach with probable fatal effect.
 Runs When Questioned
 Officer Doty had put in a duty call and was standing in front of the Guilty building when the gunman came along Elm street Suspecting that he was carrying something un- der his coat, which was bulging noticeably. the officer called to him but the young man did not respond. Walking towards him the officer asked him what he had under his coat and in reply the young man pulled out a pair of black gloves. This did not satisfy the officer, who asked him what else he was hiding. ana Tn an instant the young man turned and ran towards the alley way. The officer grabbed at him but was not close enough to seize him.
 Running through the alleyway With the officer in pursuit. the gun man leaped 10 the top of a small shed and then jumped to the ground. where he found himself trapped by q fence. Officer Doty, who was several feet behind him, mounted the shed and was about to Jump to the ground when he saw squirt of fire and heard the singing or bullet as it whizzed by. close to his head. Squatting to offer as small target as possible, he reach- ed into his holster and pulling out h,s revolver, he was about to open fire when second spurt of fire was followed by stinging. burning sensation in the back and he realiz- cd he was shot.
 Emptics Revolver at Gunman
 With rare courage and grit he emptied his revolver towards the spot from which the bullets aimed at him had come, but apparently the sunman had taken advantage Of the darkness to make his way out or the range of the bullets, for no trace of him could be found despite d search of the yards and streets throughout the neighborhood.
 Making his way down off the shed Officer Doty went to the police sig nal box which is in front of the Guilty building, and sent a tele. phone message to Lieutenant Sam uel Bamforth at police headquarters
 (Continued on PaRa 1ll