Police Officer John C. Gilmore

John C. Gilmore

Police Officer John Gilmore succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on December 10th, 1861, while attempting to arrest two burglary suspects.

Officer Gilmore had chased the two men after they were caught by a homeowner as they burglarized a home at the corner of Broadway and Jefferson Street. The suspects were able to initially evade capture, however, Officer Gilmore and several other officers believed they knew their identities and went to their rooming house at the corner of 13th Street and Chambers Street.

After waiting outside for several hours, Officer Gilmore told the other officers that he would stay at the scene while the other officers went to get breakfast. After the other officers left he went inside of the home's rear kitchen to wait. The men came home a short time later and immediately attacked Officer Gilmore, beating him with slungshots. Officer Gilmore was able to retreat outside where he continued to violently struggle with the men. One of the men pulled out a pistol and shot Officer Gilmore in the jaw before they both fled.

Officer Gilmore was taken to his home where he remained until succumbing to his wound.