Officer John Stowe

Officer John Stowe
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Thursday December 03, 1936
Date of Incident: Thursday, December 03, 1936
Age: 57
Tour of Duty: 26 years
Suspect Info: Carlos Fernandez, charged with murder
Weapon Used: Gun; .38 caliber
Buried: Unknown
Location of name on National and Texas monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM: 17, C, 04

Officer Stowe was in a bar in the Kentucky Club located at 414 East Commerce, when the bartender, recognizing Stowe to be a policeman, informed him that a male patron, later known as Carlos Fernandez 19 years old, was in the bar and armed. Officer Stowe attempted to disarm and arrest Fernandez, but was shot and killed in the process. Fernandez ran out of the bar as a female patron grabbed Officer Stowe's gun and fired shots at Fernandez, along side the bartender. Fernandez was later captured in the alley by police, as Fernandez was walking home. Officer Stowe died at the scene. Fernandez stated he did not remember the incident he was to intoxicated. However, Fernandez informed police where he believed to have dropped his .38 caliber pistol. Police recovered the pistol in the alley Fernandez had told police.

Officer Stowe was survivied by his wife, Callie Stowe, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and two sisters. Officer Stowe joined SAPD in 1910. -----source San Antonio Light

Detective Henry C. Perrow

Detective Henry Carrington Perrow
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: February 18, 1877
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Monday, December 11, 1933
Date of Incident: Monday, December 11, 1933
Age: 56
Badge Number: 36
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Suspect Info: Shot and killed, in unrelated shooting
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #3
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P10 - E17
TPOM: 28, B, 02

Detective Perrow was alerted to the possibility that members of a Chicago crime gang, might be in the city. After trailing a suspicious stranger in a taxi, Perrow and his partners pulled alongside the cab at a busy intersection. When they tried to talk to the man, he fled down the street on foot and disappeared into a blind alley off the 400 block of East Commerce. Perrow and his partners followed. The man cornered, whipped out two pistols and began firing. One bullet hit Perrow in the temple and another wounded his partner. In the chaos, the man escaped. He was later identified as Tommy Carroll, a member of John Dillinger's gang who was in San Antonio to buy guns from a local gunsmith who supplied Thompson submachine guns and illegally modified pistols.

The suspect was later shot and killed on June 4, 1934, in an unrelated shootout. ---- source San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Police Website

Deputy George L. Mangold

Deputy Sheriff George L. Mangold
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Born: June 10, 1891
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Sunday, September 18, 1932
Date of Incident: Sunday, September 18, 1932
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Suspect Info: Three suspects apprehended
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #2
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P25 - E23
TPOM: 09, B, 13

Deputy Mangold was shot and killed after he and other deputies responded to a store after receiving reports that it was being broken into. As the deputies began searching the store; one of the three suspects inside opened fire from an ambush position and struck Deputy Mangold in the chest with a shotgun blast. The three fled the store but were all later apprehended.

Deputy Mangold had been with the agency for only nine months and was survived by his wife, two daughters, and four brothers. -----source San Antonio Light

Officer Peter J. Scrivano

Officer Peter "Pete" J. Scrivano
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Thursday, May 28, 1931
Date of Incident: Thursday, May 28, 1931
Age: 38
Badge Number: 130
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Suspect Info: Ascencion Campa, Shot and killed
Weapon Used: Gun; .38 caliber revolver
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P7 - E4
TPOM: 24, B, 04

On May 28, 1931 at about 10:30 pm, Officer Scrivano was investigating a traffic accident at Pecos and Produce Row. One of the men involved in the accident, later identified as Ascencion Campa was intoxicated. As Officer Scrivano was in the act of giving the second driver of the auto accident an appearance bond, Campa began to approach Officer Scrivano and asked "What are you going to do with me?" Officer Scrivano ordered Campa to wait until the other mans bond was made. As the second man was signing his bond, witnesses stated Campa approached Officer Scrivano and pulled a .38 revolver. Campa jabbed the revolver into Officer Scrivano's stomach and stated "stick 'em up." Officer Scrivano backed across the street and fell as he approached the sidewalk. Campa then fired the revolver, striking Officer Scrivano in the right breast over his heart, left arm, abdomen and right hip. Officer Scrivano returned fire and struck Campa five times before Officer Scrivano's weakened condition caused his pistol to fall from his hand. Officer Scrivano was rushed to Santa Rosa Hospital where he died 45 minutes after being shot. Campa also taken to a hospital died from his wounds days after. Capt. A.W. Harvey stated Officer Scrivano was conscious to the end and his last words were "Good-bye Captain Harvey, I'm going."

Officer Scrivano was born in Italy, prior to joining SAPD he was with the San Antonio Fire Department for five years. Little over six months prior to Officer Scrivano's death, he was severely injured around the same area as his death. By a car filled with juveniles who attempted to run him over. Police officials described Officer Scrivano "as a fearless, efficient officer. He had been doing excellent work." -------source San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express News

Officer Raliegh W, Taylor

Officer Raleigh W. Taylor
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
End of Watch: Thursday, December 25, 1930
Date of Incident: Thursday, December 12, 1930
Age: 28
Badge Number: 41
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Suspect Info: Samuel Anaya, charged with Negligent Homicide
Weapon Used: Motor vehicle
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P7 - E2
TPOM: 19, C, 18

On December 12, 1930 Officer Taylor was riding his patrol motorcycle and struck by a vehicle, driven by Samuel Anaya, at the intersection of Courtland Place and N. St. Mary's. Officer Taylor was thrown over the handlebars and suffered severe bruises about the head and body. Officer Taylor was seen for severe head and body injuries at Santa Rosa Hospital but was released after a week. On December 25, 1930, Officer Taylor was at home speaking to his wife about their pleasant Christmas when he suffered a stroke. Officer Taylor died at his home on Queens Court. Dr. Ira Stansell, who attended to Officer Taylor's body, stated a clot had formed following injuries sustained from the accident, which caused Officer Taylor's death. Samuel Anaya was charged with Negligent Collision. Officer Taylor had been with the agency for one year.

Officer Taylor was survived by his wife. -----------source San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express News

Officer Theodore T. Boynton

Officer Theodore "Ted" T. Boynton
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 29, 1930
Date of Incident: Thursday, July 24, 1930
Age: 35
Badge Number: 66
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Suspect Info: Juvenile apprehended
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P15 - E14
TPOM: 02, C, 16

On July 24, 1930 Officer Boynton was riding on a San Antonio Public Service Company bus, dressed in uniform to work. Once the bus arrived to Goodrich Street a juvenile boarded the bus and pointed a gun at the driver to rob him. Officer Boynton rose from his seat to prevent the robbery and started struggling with the juvenile. They both fell through the open doors and into the street. Officer Boynton struck his head on the curb and became stunned. The suspect then shot him three times and fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later. Officer Boynton was on the right side, left shoulder, and the right arm. Officer Boynton was taken to Santa Rosa Infirmary but died from his wounds five days later.

Officer Boynton had been with the agency for three years. He was a native of Waco, Texas. Officer Boynton was survived by his wife, Annie Boynton, his parents, and three sisters -----source San Antonio Express News

Served as a SGT in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Officer Louis C. Grobe

Officer Louis C. Grobe
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit, Motorcycle accident
End of Watch: Saturday, March 22, 1930
Date of Incident: Saturday, March 22, 1930
Age: 26
Badge Number: 8
Tour of Duty: 6 months
Suspect Info: George Bauderer, charged with Negligent Homicide
Weapon Used: Automobile, Motorcycle
Buried: Mission Park South
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM:

On March 22, 1930 at about 7 pm, Officer Grobe was killed in a motorcycle accident while traveling on Romana Plaza. His motorcycle collided with another vehicle head-on at Romana Plaza and Soledad Street. Officer Grobe's head struck the windshield of the on coming vehicle. Officer Grobe died at the scene from fatal head injuries. The other vehicle was driven by George Bauderer. Bauderer stated to police he had turned to the center of the street to pass another vehicle and did not see Officer Grobe until they were close together.

Officer Grobe was survived his wife, Anna Grobe, infant son, his parents, and two sisters. Officer Grobe was a native of Cibolo, Texas but had lived in San Antonio for 22 years and was a former electrician. Officer Grobe had only been with SAPD for six months assigned to the Motorcycle Police. ----source San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express News

Detective Robert White

Detective Robert "Bob" White
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Thursday, November 10, 1927
Date of Incident: Thursday, November 10, 1927
Age: 31
Badge Number: 12
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Suspect Info: Saul Grant, charged with murder
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P42 - W4
TPOM: 03, B, 08

While responding to a suspicious person call at Houston and Cherry, Detective White observed Grant who ran once he observed Detective White. Detective White chased Grant into J.C. Bolcher's grocery store. Grant then shot and killed Detective White in the grocery store, as reported by the owner of the grocery store. Grant was later arrested. A pistol was found inside the grocery store hidden in a bucket. The pistol had been fired twice. Detective White had been shot through the wrist and abdomen. ----source San Antonio Express News

As reported through the San Antonio Express News on November 11, 1927 Detective White was a Black Officer. This would make him the first Black Officer killed in the line of duty from his Department. San Antonio Police Department has listed Officer Julius N. Alberson who died December 4, 1941, 14 years after Detective White, as being the first Black Officer killed in the line of duty. This information has not yet been verified.

Chief of Detectives Sam A. Street

Chief of Detectives Sam A. Street
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: 1866
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Sunday, September 11, 1927
Date of Incident: Saturday, September 10, 1927
Age: 60
Badge Number: 57
Tour of Duty: 10 yr
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life in prison but paroled 1957
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Mission Burial Park
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P10 - E17
TPOM: 03, C, 12

Chief of Detectives Street was investigating a tip that a notorious bandit, John M. (Pete) McKenzie 25 year old, alias "The Lone Eagle" who was about to holdup the Piggly Wiggly store at the corner of San Pedro Street and Laurel Street. Chief Street was on a stakeout of the location with two Detectives. When the suspect entered the store to rob it, Chief Street appeared and asked the suspect "What are you doing here, boy?” The suspect turned and pulled out two pistols and shot and killed Chief Street. The suspect was arrested and sentenced to death, but that sentenced was reduced to life in prison. He was paroled on September 13, 1957.

Chief Street had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife and children.

Mayor Phil Wright stated Chief Street had watched the new detective headquarters rise from foundation. The new $100,000 detective headquarters was still under construction on Main Plaza September 12, 1927. Mayor Wright continued Chief Street planned the building and was proudly awaiting the completion. Mayor Wright quoted Chief Street; a new headquarters "would spur his force to greater efforts." Mayor Wright felt once the new headquarters is complete; the building should be named after Chief Street.

"He arrested me a dozen times but he always was kind to me and I want one last glance at him" one of the visitors confided in Porter Loring.

Chief Street was a 32 degree Mason and Shriner of San Antonio Masonic Lodge A.M. F.M. and had a Masonic ceremony at his burial. ----Information from San Antonio Light

Officer Joseph J. Pedraza

Officer Joseph J. Pedraza
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: May 7, 1879
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
End of Watch: Monday, October 6, 1924
Date of Incident: Monday, October 6, 1924
Age: 44
Badge Number: 7
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Suspect Info: Ruled accidental
Weapon Used: Military officer’s revolver
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #2
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM:

Provost guard Pvt. C. R. Jennings and another provost guard were attached to downtown military police and patrolling the 500 block of E. Commerce. The two military police officers approached a nearby dance hall where a disturbance was occurring between soldiers and civilians. The two military police officers tried to stop the disturbance but were opposed by civilians. Jennings, fearing as he heard one say he was getting a gun had radioed for help to military headquarters.
Jennings then drew his revolver and fired a shot to the ground for the purpose of scarring those involved in the disturbance. The bullet ricochets from a cement sidewalk. At the same time of the fired shot, Officer Pedraza was walking his assigned beat and approached the scene. The shot fired by Jennings struck Officer Pedraza in the abdomen as he turned the corner, causing him to fall to his knees. Near by civilians assisted Officer Pedraza to the corner of Houston and St. Mary's. Officer Pedraza was placed into a car and transported to Santa Rosa Hospital. While enroute to the hospital, Officer Pedraza succumbed to his wound before arriving to the hospital; San Antonio Police think after questioning witnesses and a statement from Jennings, feel positive the shooting was accidental. Police think it is possible Jennings revolver might have accidently discharged as he pulled it from the holster. Police said Officer Pedraza was considered one of the most efficient of officers.

Officer Pedraza was survived by his wife and two children. Officer Pedraza was a member of SAPD since 1912 and was considered one of its most efficient officers. -----source from San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express News

Deputy John T. A. Holloway

Deputy John Thomas A. "Bud" Holloway
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Cause of Death: Gunshot
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 24, 1924
Date of Incident: Wednesday, July 24, 1924
Age:
Badge Number:
Tour of Duty:
Suspect Info: Eugeno Bianquini
Weapon Used: Officer's pistol
Buried: San Fernando Cemetery #3
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM: 28, B, 12

On Tuesday, July 23, 1924, Bexar County Sheriffs Deputy John Thomas A. "Bud" Holloway was sent to Eagle Pass, Texas, to return a stolen vehicle and the suspect (Bianquini) back to Bexar County. Deputy Holloway and his prisoner, Eugeno Bianquini, left Eagle Pass for San Antonio on Wednesday morning. About eight miles from Eagle Pass, Sheriff Weathers from Frio County stopped and conversed with Holloway for a short time. The next sighting was from La Prior, where officers observed Deputy Holloway and Bianquini at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday Morning. Later, a passing bus driver stated that he had observed Holloway on the side of the road at Rocky Hill, located 9 miles east of Batesville, pumping up a flat tire and a Mexican male was standing beside him. This was the last time anyone saw Deputy Holloway alive. Later on Wednesday, July 24, 1924, a long distance phone call was received from Carrizo Springs, Texas, saying that an abandoned car had been found west of Pearsall, Texas. When officers arrived, it was gone. Bexar County Deputies became concerned when Deputy Holloway did not show up on Wednesday afternoon at the Bexar Sheriffs Office. Wednesday night, July 24, 1924, Deputy U.S. Customs Officer Roland Garza stopped a speeding car about 4 miles beyond Pearsall. Officer Garza had suspected the occupant of being a rum runner. The Mexican male driving the car jumped out and covered Garza with a silver plated pistol; he then retreated into the darkness. The car that was abandoned by the unknown Mexican male was brought to Pearsall, where the license plates matched the vehicle that Holloway had been driving. A large manhunt ensued with posies from Bexar, Frio, Maverick, and Webb Counties and the San Antonio Police. Also in the search were Texas Rangers, U.S. Customs, and U.S. Immigration Officers, along with other State Officers. The search included airplanes from Kelly Field and tracking dogs. Through information learned in the search, officers became aware that Bianquini was trying to get to Mexico.

On Friday, July 25, 1924 Sheriff Condren from Webb County stated that a Mexican Male fitting the description had rented a service car to drive him from Laredo to Eagle Pass. The service car driver became suspicious when the Mexican started asking questions about the police and told the driver to speed up; he stopped the car 4 miles out of Laredo, and refused to drive any farther. The Mexican pulled a silver plated pistol on the drive, and ran off into the brush. Sheriff Condren went to that location and started the search. While searching, it was reported that persons had seen a Mexican male fitting Bianquini's description swimming across the Rio Grande into Mexico. Sheriff Condren then reported finding a coat and holster on the bank of the Rio Grande, where the suspect had gone into the river. The holster was later identified as belonging to Deputy Holloway. When Bianquini was arrested on a bus in Mexico, he had Holloway's pistol, watch and wallet, containing a small sum of cash in his possession. He attempted to bribe the Mexican Officials out of arresting him, but they turned him in.

On Saturday, July 26, 1924, Officers found Deputy Holloway's body. The badly decomposed body was located under a clump of bushes approximately 40 yards from a little used road, and 14 miles west of Pearsall. Because of the location of his wounds, Bexar County Deputies theorized, Deputy Holloway's car had a flat tire and that Holloway removed the handcuffs from the prisoner, in order to help him repair the flat tire. They believe that while both men were stooping over the car wheel, Bianquini struck Holloway with a tire tool, stunning him. Blanquini grabbed the deputy's pistol and started to run. The dazed officer, unarmed started in pursuit. One shot was fired. Holloway was found with a bullet hole in his shoulder.

According to an interview of Bexar County Sheriffs Chief Deputy Alfonso Newton, in the San Antonio Light Newspaper, on June 22, 1936. Eugeno Bianquini was arrested by Mexican Authorities, who wanted $100 to bring him to the middle of the bridge at Nuevo Laredo and turn him loose, so that the Texas officers could capture him on this side. Chief Deputy Newton said that former Deputy F.N. Flores telephoned to find out if he should pay the $100 and Newton told him to pay it, but the delay caused the Mexicans to raise the price for Bianquini to $500, The Texas Officers were unable to meet the new demand. Then legal proceedings were started. The governor asked the state department in Washington to request the extradition of Bianquini from the President of Mexico. Finally all of the official red tape was completed and the necessary papers signed. Before the extradition was carried out word reached San Antonio that Bianquini would "escape" from the Nuevo Laredo jail. Newton said he telephoned the jailer, and promised to pay him well if he would hire extra guards, and make every effort to keep Bianquini in custody. The Mexican official assured him that there was no possibility of the man getting away. But the official was mistaken and Bianquini escaped. He was arrested a second time, but escaped again. In 1933, word reached San Antonio that Bianquini was driving a bus between Mexico City and Puebla, but again money would be required to get him to return. The money was not available, and the plan was abandoned. There was a story the circulated that Bianquini had a sweetheart in El Paso and that he crossed the Rio Grande at times. The young woman was kept under surveillance for months, but the man did not appear. Officers heard rumors that he had made a trip to San Antonio in 1934, but the search met with negative results.

Survivors included his wife, Mrs. Holloway; one young son and daughter of San Antonio; grown sons, Don Holloway, 28 and Jack Holloway, 21 from a previous marriage. The funeral was held on Sunday, July 27, 1924. The Rosary was held at the Alamo Funeral Home and the Mass and Funeral Services were held at St. Johns Berchmans Church. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park. The pallbearers for the funeral were Deputies Ed Knight, John Garoni, John Subira, Angel Barloco, Tom Donoghue and W.V. Speer. ------source Bexar County Sheriff's Office website, San Antonio Light, and San Antonio Express News

Officer Frank East

Officer Frank East
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident
End of Watch: Sunday, June 10, 1917
Date of Incident: Sunday, June 10, 1917
Age: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Tour of Duty: Six months
Suspect Info: N/A
Weapon Used: N/A
Buried: Hinton, West Virginia
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P25 - E21
TPOM: 06, C, 19

Officer East was responding to a fire alarm at 4:05 Sunday afternoon and traveling East on Commerce Street. A bicyclist traveling north on Water Street had made a left turn on Commerce Street, when both Officer east and the bicyclist collided. The bicycle rider was thrown off the bicycle and knocked unconscious. Officer East was thrown from his motorcycle hitting his head on the pavement. Civilians nearby stated Officer East was unconscious when they got to him. Officer East sustained fatal head injuries. Officer East died five hour later at Santa Rosa Infirmary without having regained consciousness. The bicyclist survived after suffering a gash across his forehead------source San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express News

Officer William M. Lacey

Officer William Madison Lacey
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: January 23, 1862
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Thursday, November 29, 1900
Date of Incident: Thursday, November 29, 1900
Age: 38
Badge Number: Not available
Tour of Duty: 2 day
Suspect Info: Not available
Weapon Used: Gun; .38 Smith & Wesson revolver
Buried: San Antonio’s Municipal Cemetery #4
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P62 - W10
TPOM: 07, C, 06

Patrolman Lacey was shot and killed accidentally by a man he was protecting during a labor dispute. Patrolman Lacey was assigned to protect non-union workers during strikes. He was escorting one of the workers on a repair job when the man was attacked. Patrolman Lacy came to the man's aid but was shot by the suspect who began firing at his attacker. Incident took place at the intersection of St. Mary's and Travis streets.
Patrolman Lacy had only been with the agency for two days and was survived by his wife and four children.

Union workers of Electrical Union Telephone Company were on strike in front of the phone company located on Travis St. This had caused a non-union, hot-tempered young electrician named Charles R. Smith, to be so upset with the strikers. Smith would take every opportunity to start a yelling match with union employees. Smith had a small physic and took to carrying a pistol. Things got so bad that the telephone company manager, F.B. Clyde, had to petition City Marshal Druse for protection.

Smith seems to have rubbed just about everybody the wrong way, relishing his position as scab and rarely missing an opportunity to start a yelling match with union employees congregating on Travis St in front of the phone company. But by the end of November, the fighting seems to have become more of a private feud between Smith and O.D. Blanton, a union lineman, and C.K. Phillips, a union electrician. Arguments between the men were a daily occurrence, and on several occasions seem to have ended with rocks and tools thrown across Travis St. Smith, who lacked the physical size to stand toe to toe with either Blanton or Phillips, took to carrying a pistol. Indeed, things got so bad that the telephone company manager, F.B. Clyde, had to petition City Marshal Druse for protection.

And this is where William Lacey enters the picture.

A Policeman’s Story
William M. Lacey had four children and a pregnant wife at home. They’d been married for just seven years. He was a good looking man with wavy brown hair, a high, intelligent forehead, and a strong solid jaw. In the last picture he ever posed for, his brow hoods a pair of sleepy, confident eyes. This was a man who knew what he was about, and in November, 1900, that meant supplementing his carpenter’s profession with a side job as a police officer. Lacey’s application to join the department was approved unanimously by city council, and on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1900, William M. Lacey reported for his first day on the job as a San Antonio police officer.

City Marshal Druse assigned Lacey to a detail that included two other officers, L.C. Espinoza and Mike Molyneau. Their job was to take charge of the strike situation. They walked the four blocks from City Hall to the telephone company’s offices at the corner of Travis and St. Mary’s St, and they had been watching an irritable crowd of union strikers for about twenty-five minutes when Charles Smith stepped out of the telephone office. Phillips, Blanton, and Martin Wright were in the crowd and recognized Smith right away. Insults were yelled back and forth. Smith, who seems to have never heard that discretion is the better part of valor, poured salt in the wound by asking the strikers how they enjoyed being out of a job.

In a deposition he gave before Judge Joe Umscheid, Officer Espinoza recalled watching the scene with a growing sense of unease. From his post he could see the faces of the union leaders turning red with anger. He could see Smith smiling back at them, smug as could be, taunting them. Then Espinoza’s gaze shifted to the brand new officer, William Lacey. Lacey’s face was taut with suppressed tension, his eyes darting nervously across the angry crowd. The muscles in his cheek twitched each time a nasty comment was yelled above the general din. His arms were crossed over his chest, his brand new uniform coat stiff with laundry starch.

Espinoza had been in the thick of the action during the City Hall protests two years before, when Mayor “King Bryan” Callaghan Jr., who for many years ran San Antonio like his own private fiefdom, tried to fire the entire police department, and he knew what was going through the new officer’s mind. He knew the thick blue uniform coat was basting the new officer in a layer of heat and sweat. He knew how isolated Lacey was feeling, like a lion tamer when the animals decide they no longer have any interest in taking instruction. Lacey was swallowing constantly, his Adam’s apple working up and down like a piston, and hardly ever blinking. He was getting his first taste of a rough situation, but for all his obvious nervousness, was doing surprisingly well. Lacey was scared, but sticking to his post. He wasn’t moving over to stand next to the other two officers on his post, like a meeker man might, and in Espinoza’s assessment, that was the sign of a good cop. If things got really bad, he thought he’d probably be able to count on William Lacey to watch his back.

And the way things were going, it looked like that was about to happen.

Somebody in the crowd threw a rock, narrowly missing Smith. The smirk slipped off his face as Smith realized the situation was getting out of hand. His voice took on a whining, frightened note.

Phillips, a thick-armed electrician whose huge build allowed him to push his way to the front of the crowd, stuck a threatening finger in Smith’s face. “You are nothing but a big baby,” Phillips said, “and you ought to be at home with your mother.”

Granted it was a weak insult by today’s standards, but evidently it had the desired affect on the crowd. With the strike entering its forth week, nearly everyone was stewing for a fight, and as the union workers advanced on Smith, the scab promptly sprinted for a nearby telephone pole and scrambled up it.

The crowd had Smith on the run. Soon there was a whole chorus of jeers driving Smith upward, and the more he panted and whined the louder and more ominous the taunts became.

Smith, meanwhile, his hands covered in sweat, clung to the pole, the veins in his neck standing out like cords beneath his skin as he kicked at the hands clutching for his boots.

Officers Lacey and Espinoza moved in to restore order, but were unable to push their way through the crowd before Phillips managed to get a hold on Smith’s pant legs and pulled him down into the frenzied crowd. Phillips had a wrench with him, and when Smith tried to fight back, Phillips swung the wrench, opening a deep cut across the top of Smith’s scalp.

Smith’s hair and face were wet with blood and he was barely conscious. He staggered through the crowd and into Robinson’s Livery Stable. With Phillips, Blanton, and Martin Wright in the lead the crowd pursued. They punched and kicked Smith, driving him deeper into Robinson’s Livery.

William Lacey never stopped fighting his way through the crowd, and he reached the front of the fray just as Smith was knocked to his knees by a hard punch to the face. Lacey reached down to pull Smith to his feet, but Smith had already produced a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver from inside his shirt.

Smith claimed he didn’t know it was Officer William Lacey pulling him to his feet. He believed Phillips, Blanton and Wright were closing in for the kill. When Smith opened fire, William Lacey was standing less than an arm’s length from him. Lacey took the shot on his left side, the bullet lodging next to his heart. Smith then fired two more shots. He hit Blanton in the back, next to his spine, and nicked Wright in the arm.

A panic went through the crowd and people ran for the exits.

Blanton landed in a heap in a corner of the livery.

But Lacey kept his feet. He staggered back from Smith, his hands hanging limply at his side. His face had an elastic, slack-jawed expression as he stared about the room. He never cried out. He saw a chair up against a wall and managed to drop down into it.

Meanwhile, Officer Espinoza was still trying to fight his way inside Robinson’s Livery when he heard three shots fired in rapid succession. The crowd was pouring out all around him, but Espinoza elbowed his way into the inner chamber. He saw a man on either side of Blanton, carrying the mortally wounded man out of the scene. Along the far wall, he saw Smith, the gun still in his hand; but despite the blood in his hair and on his face, he seemed cool and calm.

Then Espinoza saw William Lacey, seated against another wall, blood seeping through his thick gray field coat. Espinoza told Smith he was under arrest and Smith nodded. He handed Espinoza the pistol and surrendered without resistance.

And as a hush fell over the few remaining people inside the livery, William Lacey sat dying. A few onlookers came to his side and tried speaking to him, but Lacey could make no reply. He died fifteen minutes later, just as a doctor was entering the building.

On the way to the jail, Officer Espinoza asked Charles Smith what had happened. Smith told him he had no idea he had just killed a policeman. He swore that Lacey was never his intended target. But when Espinoza asked Smith who his intended target was, the man fell silent. He would make no further comment.

And so Espinoza took Charles Smith and C.K. Phillips before Justice Joe Umscheid and gave an affidavit accusing Smith of murder and Phillips of felony assault.

The Funeral

Officer Lacey’s body was placed in a casket at a nearby funeral home and then taken to his Kentucky Ave home on San Antonio’s west side. The body was brought into the parlor and immediately surrounded by his wife and four children. Throughout the rest of the day several hundred people came by to pay their respects.

Lacey was buried in Cemetery #4 at San Antonio’s Municipal Cemetery. Among his pall bearers were Charles Van Riper, who went to become chief of the San Antonio Police Department, and San Antonio Mayor Marshall Hicks.

The service was a huge affair attended by several hundred people, and many of San Antonio’s most prominent politicians and clergy were among the guests.

The Southwest Telephone and Telegraph Company gave Lacey’s widow a check for $1000 and a public apology for the actions of its employees, and the matter slipped into obscurity for the next 87 years. From Blog - Joe McKinney

According to San Jose Cemetery where information for all San Antonio owned cemetery records are kept, Officer Lacey is buried at San Antonio Cemetery #4 Area 2 Lot 21 Sec 2. But due to Officer Lacey not having a grave marker and poorly kept records before 1920. It was difficult for cemetery keepers to show where Section 1 begins but this is Lot 21.

Sheriff Edward A. Stevens

Sheriff Edward Alexander Stevens
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Born: September 9, 1827
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Saturday, November 7, 1885
Date of Incident: 1881
Age: 58
Tour of Duty: 25 years
Suspect Info: Shot to death
Weapon Used: Unknown gun
Buried: San Antonio City Cemetery #1
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF:
TPOM: 15, B, 13

In 1881, Sheriff Stevens was serving as a deputy for then Bexar County Sheriff Thomas McCall and attempted to arrest two horse thieves near Luling, Texas. The posse and the suspects became engaged in a violent gun fight; Sheriff Stevens was severely wounded in the left arm during the gunfight. The wounds were so serious that it required the amputation of the arm. During the gunfight, Gillespie, a well known horse thief, was shot to death.
On November 7, 1885, while serving as Bexar County Sheriff; Sheriff Stevens died as a result of an infection set in following the surgery from his left arm being amputated.

Edwards A. Stevens was a veteran of the U.S.-Mexican War and served in 1855 as a member of a company of Texas Rangers. Stevens was first elected Sheriff of Bexar County and served from August 1, 1864, and served until August 11, 1865. Stevens was replaced after the end of the Civil War by an appointee (James Fisk) of provisional Governor H.J. Hamilton. (During Reconstruction, Radical Republicans in Congress pressed for "fairly sweeping disenfranchisement of former Confederates," says the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, edited by Charles Reagan Wilson and William Ferris. Southerners were asked to sign loyalty oaths to the United States to hold even the most minor local government post. In 1866, Stevens served as City Marshal of San Antonio. He later became a Deputy Sheriff for Bexar County and served in that capacity under Sheriff Thomas McCall.

In 1884, he was elected Sheriff of Bexar County for a 2nd time. Stevens took office on November 4, 1884, and remained as Sheriff until he succumbed to the infection in his left arm on November 7, 1885. Sheriff Edward Alexander Stevens was born at Harper's Ferry, VA. He was married on June 30, 1862, in San Antonio, Texas, to Elise Fromentier from Paris, France. They had 7 children; Virginia, Louise, Adella, Charles, Lizza, Oliver, Charles Stevens and Edward Oliver Stevens. He is buried with his wife at the San Antonio City Cemetery #1 in San Antonio, Texas.

The above information was obtained from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office web site which used sources from newspaper stories, history books and Bexar County records.






Sheriff Stevens son, Prohibition Agent Charles Stevens was was also killed in the line of duty, serving as a Prohibition Agent. Prohibition Agent Charles F. Stevens began his long and respected law enforcement career at the age of 18, with the Bexar County Sheriffs as a Jailer when his father, Edward A. Stevens was Bexar County Sheriff. At the age of 23, Stevens was elected and served 3 terms as a Bexar County Constable. Stevens was then appointed as a Bexar County Deputy Sheriff in 1898 during the 1st term of Sheriff John Tobin. In 1908 He ran for Sheriff against Ben Lindsey, but was defeated. After Tobin was re-elected Bexar County Sheriff, Stevens was appointed his Chief Deputy. In 1910 he was appointed a Texas Ranger Captain of Company “B” Patrolling the Border from Brownsville to El Paso. Stevens was appointed in 1912 as Captain of the San Antonio Police Department by Mayor Gus Jones, and in 1921 he served as Supervisor for the U.S. Customs service until his appointment as a U.S. Prohibition Agent.

Prohibition Agent Charles F. Stevens was the son of Edward Alexander Stevens, pioneer Indian fighter, Confederate Solider and Bexar County Sheriff. Sheriff E.A. Steven was shot in the line of duty and later succumbed to his wounds in 1885. Sheriff Stevens came to Texas from Harpers Ferry Va. The mother of Charles Stevens was Mrs. Elisa Fromanties Stevens. She came to Southwest Texas in 1849, with her mother who was part of a group of early French settlers locating in the San Antonio area.

Charles Francis Stevens, 60, was survived by his wife, Mrs. Trixie Cross Stevens, 615 Ave E, Satex, formerly of Greenville, brother, Oliver A. Stevens, 235 Dashiell St Satex; 3 sisters, Mrs. Adele Mueller of Buffalo, New York, Mrs. David Jones of San Antonio, and Mrs. Elizabeth Bowsky of Paris France. He was also survived by a nephew, Oliver Jones, brother in laws Dave Jones and D.S. Cross of San Antonio and mother in law, Mrs. E.S. Cross of Alpine, Texas. He was a member of San Fernando Cathedral and was a native of San Antonio and educated in San Antonio Public Schools. Charles F. Stevens’s funeral services were held on Thursday, September 26 at San Fernando Cathedral and his body was interred at San Jose Cemetery. -----from ODMP

Officer Wells Van Ness

Officer Wells Van Ness
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Stabbed
End of Watch: Thursday, September 26, 1867
Date of Incident: Wednesday,September 25, 1867
Age: 57
Badge Number: 143
Tour of Duty: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P48 - W8
TPOM: 28, C, 18

Officer Wells was stabbed to death by a drunken man he was attempting to arrest. He was walking back from Arsenal and South Main Streets when he came across the man lying on the ground and tried to arrest him.

Patrolman Wells was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.

Assistant City Marshal Frederick W. Fieldstrup

Assistant City Marshal Frederick W. Fieldstrup
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Cause of Death: Gunfire
End of Watch: Friday, May 29, 1857
Date of Incident: Friday, May 29, 1857
Age: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Suspect Info: Bill Hart, shot and killed
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P14-E17
TPOM: 02, C, 01

Assistant City Marshal Fieldstrup was shot and killed on the corner of Market Street and Alamo Street in a shoot-out with a notorious gambler named Bill Hart and two of his companions. When Fieldstrup approached Hart, an argument started and both men pulled their pistols and shot. Marshal Fieldstrup and the two companions were killed in the shoot-out.

THE PROBLEM OF FREDERICK FIELDSTRUP

The only things that we know for certain about one Frederick (or Fredrico) Fieldstrup (or Fieldstrop), are that (a) he died, in San Antonio, on May 29, 1857, (b) he died at the same time as a criminal awaiting trial, William Hart, and (c) and several other individuals died at the same time. Who shot whom, who shot first, and whether or not Fieldstrup was acting in an official capacity as a San Antonio Marshal, as a concerned citizen volunteer/deputy, or as a vigilante, has yet to be fully documented. Later (1890s on) tall tales and vivid anecdotes abound, but verifiable contemporary accounts are sadly lacking.
According to records of the Fourth District Court of May, 1857, Hart was in San Antonio awaiting trial, on a change of venue from Austin, and that as recently as 2 days before his death the latest in a series of "sureties" (posters of bonds guaranteeing his attendance at the trial) had asked to be relieved of that obligation, obviously fearing Hart had plans to flee.
We also know that vigilante activity was common in San Antonio (and throughout Texas) at this time. Incidents of vigilante action, including hangings and other executions without trial, are recorded from the 1840s on. During 1857 in San Antonio, vigilantes were especially active. The weekly Herald felt it necessary to defend the results (fewer robbers and murderers) from criticism by other Texas papers, and a 1858 grand jury investigating the problem in San Antonio reported that "insufficient enforcement of the criminal laws" and generous clemency had ignited the vigilante actions. Such activities continued into the 1860s in San Antonio. In a well-known vigilante activity, bad guy Bill Augustin was lynched in Military Plaza in 1861 after intimidating jurors into acquitting him of a shooting.
Of Fieldstrup himself, we have few records. If he was a deputy marshal on the night of May 29, 1857, then he was the first San Antonio marshal to be killed in the line of duty. Court records verify only that money was allotted to Coroner Martin Campbell for expenses relating to the deaths of Fieldstrup, Hart, and two others (James Miller and Robert Woods), who apparently also died in the battle.

SOURCES: Early law enforcement activities in San Antonio are not well documented. Although there are colorful tales in later histories (c.1890 on), dependable, contemporary sources are few and incomplete. The information above was taken primarily from the Journal of the San Antonio City Council, the Minutes of the Fourth District Court, and the Herald [weekly newspaper]. Many 19th century records were damaged or destroyed in the floods of 1908, 1917, and 1921, or in subsequent fires, or through neglect. Readers who know of contemporary (1850s), reliable documentary accounts relating to the Fieldstrup issue are encouraged to contact us. --- from SAPD web

Sheriff Joseph L. Hood

Sheriff Joseph L. Hood
Bexar County Sheriff's Department, TX
Cause of Death: Assault
End of Watch: Thursday, March 19, 1840
Date of Incident: Thursday, March 19, 1840
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 1 yr
Suspect Info: Not available
Weapon Used: Unknown weapon
Buried: Unknown
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P59 - W10
TPOM: 21, C, 08


On March 19, 1840 Sheriff Joseph L. Hood, first sheriff of Bexar County, was one of many killed in a melee with Comanche chiefs within the Town Council House during the course of peace negotiations (prior to April 18).. better known in history as The Council House Fight.
The Council House Fight was a conflict between Republic of Texas officials and a Comanche peace delegation which took place in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting took place under a truce with the purpose of negotiating peace after two years of war. The Comanches sought to obtain recognition of the boundaries of the Comancheria, their homeland. The Texans wanted the release of Texan and Mexican captives held by the Comanches. The event ended with 12 Comanche leaders shot to death in the Council House, 23 shot in the streets of San Antonio, and 30 taken captive. The incident ended the chance for peace and led to years of hostility and war.

Sheriff Joseph L. Hood, early settler, businessman, and legislator, was born in North Carolina in 1803. When he applied for Texas citizenship at Nacogdoches in December 1829, he described himself as Catholic, unmarried, and a schoolteacher. On December 12, 1834, he received title to a league of land in the area that later became Bell County. In 1835 he represented the Municipality of Viesca at the Consultation and on the General Council. The General Council appointed him judge at Viesca and designated him as an agent to receive money due the Mexican government and to be transferred for use of the people of Texas. Hood was a business associate of Eliel Melton at Nacogdoches before 1836. He probably went to San Antonio about the time of the Texas Revolution. He was the first elected sheriff of Bexar County on May 1, 1837, and reelected in 1839. -----source The Handbook of Texas Online website and Wikipedia.

Picture of San Antonio Plaza at the time of The Council House Fight.

"The Court House, called the Council House, a one-story stone building with a flat roof and an earth floor, adjoined the stone jail on the corner of Main Plaza and Calaboza (Market) Street. The yard back of the Court House was later the City Market on Market Street."