Police Officer Carl Besalki

Carl Besalki

Police Officer Carl Besalki succumbed to a gunshot wound suffered four days earlier while investigating suspicious activity at the Wabash Railroad depot near Cerro Gordo Street.

While on patrol he heard voices coming from an open boxcar. As he entered the boxcar to investigate, one of the men opened fire with a .32-caliber revolver, striking Officer Besalki in the abdomen. He was taken to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.

Before dying, Officer Besalki was able to identify the 22-year-old shooter. The man was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on December 24th, 1943.

Officer Besalki had served with the Decatur Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and five children.