Patrolman Forney L. Haas

Forney L. Haas

Patrolman Forney Haas was shot and killed by a well-known criminal after a traffic stop.

Patrolman Haas stopped a man driving a Lincoln with California plates driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Cleveland. He had no idea that the driver was a well-known criminal wanted for housebreaking, robbery, and car theft. Patrolman Haas asked to see his license and the criminal, playing for time, claimed to have left it at home. Patrolman Haas insisted on seeing it, so they drove to his rooming house at 8120 Euclid Avenue.

The landlady was sweeping the hallway when she heard men's voices shouting in one of her rooms. She heard one man say, "I'm telling you, my license was in my wallet when I left. It's been stolen from here." After a few more angry exchanges, the woman heard a shot, followed by two more. The door opened, and a man holding a smoking revolver ran past her and out into the street. Patrolman Haas was rushed to Mt Sinai Hospital but died half an hour later without regaining consciousness.

The suspect had grabbed Patrolman Hass' revolver, and he flushed it down a toilet so as not to be caught with it. The officer's weapon was found, however, and due to some chemical reaction, the suspect's print had become engraved on the weapon. This led to his conviction and subsequent execution in the electric chair on January 16, 1953.

Patrolman Haas had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 17 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.