Policeman Patrick H. Lyons

Patrick H. Lyons

Policeman Lyons was shot and killed by a robbery suspect.

Policeman Lyons was shot and killed about 11:05 pm by a highwayman who, with his partner, held up and robbed the Magnolia Winery at No. 1404 Central Ave. Ten minutes earlier, the same men had held up a grocery store at Twelfth Street and Tennessee.

In less than two hours the man who did the shooting and his partner were captured and identified. The 19-year-old gunman was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On January 25, 1909, he died from injuries he received the previous October when he attempted suicide by jumping from the third tier of the main cell house at San Quentin Prison. His 22-year-old partner was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 30, 1917, and died a year later.

Policeman Lyons had been a regular member of the police force since August 20, 1907, but before that he served as a special patrolman for some time. He was therefore not inexperienced.