Police Officer William Linder

William Linder

Police Officer William Linder succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was attacked by two men near the intersection of 22nd Street and Race Street.

Officer Linder witnessed two men preparing to fight and attempted to separate them. As he did so both men turned on Policeman Linder, knocked him down, struck him with their hands and feet causing a fractured skull and other serious injuries. Policeman Linder managed to arrest one of the subjects and walked him to the police station before going to Hahnemann Hospital to be treated. Officer Linder was recovering well from his injuries when he suffered a relapse and died as a result of complications.

Both suspects were charged with murder after Officer Linder's death and remained in jail until the trial. In November 1896 both suspects pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and both received six-month sentences.