Police Officer Frederick K. Broome

Frederick K. Broome

Police Officer Fred Broome died as a result of complications of Spanish Influenza contracted while assigned to the police ambulance during an outbreak in the city.

He was assigned to an ambulance and came into contact with many patients when he was stricken with the Spanish Flu. Police Officer Harry Corson, who also contracted the Spanish Flu while working on a police ambulance, died the same day as Officer Broome.

Officer Broome had served with the Camden Police Department for 3-1/2 years and was assigned to the Second Police District. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement

Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.

The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen.

Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.