Sergeant James Gatewood, Jr.

James Gatewood, Jr.

Sergeant James Gatewood was shot and killed, and his partner was seriously wounded at 10303 Algona Road in the Federal Housing Authority's Oakdale Gardens complex.

The officers were investigating a complaint that a man, who had previously been committed, was bothering girls on the nearby playground. While they were talking to the suspect's mother, the suspect shot them both through his screen door, firing eight times.

The suspect was apprehended a short time later. The suspect was committed to a mental hospital on August 4th, 1961.

Sergeant Gatewood was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Royal Oak Township Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and five sons.