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Line of Duty Deaths - 1930s

G.W. PerryEUGENE W. PERRY

On September 12, 1930, at about 10:45AM, Seattle Police Officer Eugene W. Perry was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Perry was assigned to guard a courier who was in possession of a large amount of cash. They were going to the Central Terminal Station at 8th Avenue and Stewart Street. When Officer Perry and the courier arrived, a man with a rifle appeared. The suspect ordered the officer to surrender. When Officer Perry reached for his service weapon, the suspect shot him four times. The gunman fled the scene. Officer Perry was taken to the hospital by a passerby. Officer Eugene W. Perry died several hours later. He was survived by his wife Lillian and two sons.


G.W. CottleWALTER G. COTTLE

On September 29, 1930, at about 10:00PM, Seattle Police Officer Walter G. Cottle was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Cottle was walking his beat and noticed a suspicious person at 12th Avenue and East Alder Street. He stopped the man and asked him if he lived in the neighborhood. The suspect produced a handgun and shot Officer Cottle in the face at point blank range. The suspect ran from the scene. Officer Walter G. Cottle was taken to Virginia Mason Hospital where he died several hours later. He was survived by his wife Babel.


H.E. WilliamsHAROLD E.S. WILLIAMS

On August 2, 1931, at about 3:00AM, Seattle Police Officer Harold E.S. Williams was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Williams was inside a hotel at 1607 1st Avenue when the desk clerk alerted him to a robbery in progress. The officer approached two suspects and a running gun battle ensued. During the exchange of shots, the officer's weapon jammed. The suspects continued shooting and a bullet struck Officer Williams. The suspects fled, but were captured nearby. Officer Harold E.S. Williams died three hours later. He was survived by his wife Sophie.


Ralph Ahner

RALPH H. AHNER

On September 13, 1932, during the daytime hours, Seattle Police Officer Ralph H. Ahner died in the line of duty. Officer Ahner was assigned to the traffic division. While he was pursuing a traffic violator, his motorcycle collided with an automobile at 4th Avenue South and South Horton Street. Officer Ralph H. Ahner was taken to the hospital where he died several hours later. He was survived by his wife Florence and a stepson.


Ellsworth Cordes

ELLSWORTH W. CORDES

On December 31, 1932, during the afternoon hours, Seattle Police Ellsworth W. Cordes died in the line of duty. Officer Cordes was assigned to the traffic division. He was operating his police motorcycle on 1st Avenue South when he collided with a streetcar at South Horton Street. The officer was thrown sixty feet from his motorcycle. Officer Ellsworth W. Cordes died at the scene. He was survived by his wife Lena and two year old daughter Phyllis.

Coincidentally, this accident occurred only three blocks from another police motorcycle fatality, that one involving Officer Cordes' partner, Ralph Ahner who was killed three and a half months earlier.


Olof Wilson

OLOF F. WILSON

On March 31, 1935, at about 10:06PM, Seattle Police Officer Olof F. Wilson was killed in the line of duty. He was walking his beat along West Dravus Street. At 15th Avenue West, he was struck by a speeding automobile which was driven by a drunk driver. The impact hurled him 129 feet. The suspect fled, but was arrested a short distance away. Officer Olof F. Wilson died at the scene from massive injuries. He was survived by his wife Oka, son Albert, and daughter Fayetta.


Trent Sickles

TRENT A. SICKLES

On November 26, 1935, at about 4:50AM, Seattle Police Officer Trent A. Sickles was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Sickles and his partner, Officer Theodore E. Stevens, were working the north end of Seattle when they received a report of a burglary in progress at a tavern at 8904 Roosevelt Way Northeast. At that time, the north city limits extended only to 85th St. The officers responded to back Sheriff's Deputies, but were the first to arrive on scene. Officer Sickles went to the front door as Officer Stevens covered the rear of the tavern. When Officer Sickles reached the front door, he was shot several times and fell to the ground. Officer Stevens ran to help his partner and was also shot by the suspect(s). Officer Trent A. Sickles died instantly from gun shot wounds. Offficer Stevens died a short time later.


Theodore Stevens

THEODORE E. STEVENS

On November 26, 1935, at about 4:00AM, Seattle Police Officer Theodore E. Stevens was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Stevens and his partner, Officer Trent A. Sickles, were working the north end of Seattle when they received a report of a burglary in progress at the tavern at 8904 Roosevelt Way Northeast. At that time, the north city limits extended only to 85th St. The officers responded to back Sheriff's Deputies, but were first to arrive on scene. Officer Sickles went to the front door as Officer Stevens covered the rear of the tavern. When Officer Sickles reached the front door, he was shot several times and fell to the ground. Officer Stevens ran to help his partner and was also shot by the suspect(s). Officer Sickles died instantly from gun shot wounds. Officer Theodore E. Stevens was taken to the hospital where he died a short time later.


Con B. Anderson

CON B. ANDERSON

On September 27, 1936, at about 9:10AM, Seattle Police Officer Con B. Anderson died in the line of duty. Officer Anderson was at the Ballard Police Station conducting routine business when his revolver accidentally discharged after striking the floor. The bullet struck Officer Anderson in the neck and he was rushed to Ballard General Hospital. Officer Con B. Anderson died twenty minutes later. He was survived by his wife Alice, a daughter Doris, and a son Raymond.

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