Patrolman Joseph J. Westlake

Joseph J. Westlake

Patrolman Joseph Westlake was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to the sounds of shots being fired.

He and his partner were walking a beat along the old Narragansett Pier where casinos were located at the time. There was a fight in a nearby bar between two local men and two U.S. Army soldiers, during which, a soldier pulled his gun and fired at one of the men but didn't hit him.

Patrolman Westlake and his partner were alerted to the shots and ran to investigate. The soldier with the gun ran off with the officers in pursuit. During the chase, the soldier fired at the two officers, killing Patrolman Westlake and wounding his partner. The soldier was later apprehended and charged with murder.

The soldier, who claimed he thought the officers were two tramps he earlier had trouble with, was tried and acquitted.

Patrolman Westlake was survived by his wife and two children.