Officer John C. Middlekauff

John C. Middlekauff

Officer John Middlekauff succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on August 15th, 1914, at about 3:00 am while investigating gunfire in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad yards between Antietam Street and Baltimore Street.

He had split up from the other two officers as the three searched for the suspects. The other officers found three men in an alley. When Officer Middlekauff joined them in the alley, they attempted to apprehend the subjects. One of the men pulled out a gun, shot Officer Middlekauff in the abdomen, and fled on Baltimore Street. Despite his wound, Officer Middlekauf was able to return fire, striking one of the subjects in the wrist before collapsing. He was transported to Doctor Ragan's office at the Dagmar Motel.

Two suspects were apprehended the following day and positively identified by Officer Middlekauff from his deathbed. The shooter was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Officer Middlekauff was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and had served with the Hagerstown Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He was survived by his expectant wife, two sons, and his parents. His daughter was born six months after his death.