Police Officer Jack Woomer

Jack Woomer

Police Officer Jack Woomer was shot and killed by a man who had obtained another officer's service revolver moments earlier.

A service station attendant had called officers to the scene because a man had been hanging around the lot and refused to leave. Before officers arrived at the scene the man entered the attendant's car. Responding officers took the man into a building on the lot while attempting to identify him. During the questioning, the man began to struggle with both officers and was able to obtain one of their service weapons and then ran out of the building.

Officer Woomer, who was pulling up to the scene, ordered the man to stop and drew his weapon. The man shot Officer Woomer in the face and continued to walk away. A third officer returned fire, wounding the man, who was then taken into custody. Officer Woomer was taken to Beth Israel Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The 28-year-old suspect was committed to the state mental hospital. On March 23, 1960, he was declared sane and released. He said he could not remember what he did.

Officer Woomer was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He was survived by his wife and three young children.