Detective Michael J. Ellis

Detective Michael J. Ellis Jr.
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: 1916
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Sunday, May 11, 1944
Date of Incident: Sunday, May 11, 1944
Age: 27
Badge Number: 344
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Suspect Info: Mac Belton Newton, committed suicide
Weapon Used: .12 gauge shotgun
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P49 - W1
TPOM: 11, C, 15

Detectives Mike Ellis and Bruce Weatherly had graduated from Brackenridge High School together. On May 11, 1944, the detectives answered a call in the 100 block of Nebraska Street where Mack Belton Newton had shot his female companion, in the head and arm. The detectives spotted Newton running down the street. Detective Weatherly shouted "We are policemen, stop!" Newton ran into his yard as Detective Weatherly began to exit the squad car. Newton fired a .12 gauge shotgun at Detective Weatherly and struck him on the left arm, right hand and chin, rendering his gun hand useless. Detective Weatherly switched his gun to his left hand and returned two shots. Newton ran into 706 S. Walnut, home of his daughter, with Detective Ellis running in after him. Detective Weatherly stated he heard two shot gun blast and unknown amount of returned fire from Detective Ellis. After, Detective Ellis was seen staggering out of the house. Detective Weatherly placed Detective Ellis in the squad car and drove to the hospital. Detective Weatherly met with an ambulance and told them to take Detective Ellis to Santa Rosa Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. Detectives examining the crime scene found Newton had committed suicide by placing the shotgun to his chest. It was discovered Newton had shot Detective Ellis twice before committing suicide. -------source San Antonio Express News

Detective Ellis was survived by his wife and two children.