Police Officer Morris Gelles

Morris Gelles

Police Officer Morris Gelles died while assisting at the scene of a factory fire at the five-story Friedlander Leather Remnant Company on 1114-20 North Bodine Street.

Officer Gelles was trying to rescue trapped firefighters and was carrying the body of a fireman when a wall fell and he was crushed. Officer Gelles and thirteen firemen were killed during the blaze.

Officer Gelles had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for two years and was assigned to the eighth district. He was survived by his parents.

He is buried in Har Nebo Cemetery in Philadelphia.