Police Officer John Chambers

John Chambers

Police Officer John Chambers succumb to gunshot wound two days earlier while serving a warrant on a subject at 2531 East Dauphin Street.

When Officer Chambers entered the home the man ran upstairs and retrieved a Navy Colt revolver. As Policeman Chambers stepped onto the bottom of the stairs the man emerged at the top and opened fire, striking him in the chest.

Another officer was able to pull Officer Chambers out of the home. He was taken to Episcopal Hospital where he was able to identify his assailant and give a statement of what happened before he died.

The suspect, a well known Kensington tough, who had terrorized his neighborhood for several years, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 8 years on January 30, 1895. He was refused a pardon on January 19, 1898.

Officer Chambers served with the Philadelphia Police Department for more than 22 years and was assigned to the 26th District. He was survived by his wife and five children.