Patrolman Fred Cromwell

Fred Cromwell

Patrolman Fred Cromwell was shot and killed by a man he surprised burglarizing a local clothing store at 3:30 am.

Patrolman Cromwell was making his early morning rounds when he found a key in the front door of the store. As he opened the door, he was shot twice and killed instantly.

The suspect, 36, was apprehended a month later in Los Angeles, California, after a fierce gun battle with four Los Angeles police officers. On May 13th, 1915, he was convicted of Patrolman Cromwell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died at a hospital for insane criminals in Michigan City on July 16, 1942.

Patrolman Cromwell had been the Patrolman for only six days after many years as the town's fire chief. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.