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FRANK J. KNOEBEL
Officer Knoebel was investigating a
suspicious person in the basement of the Odd Fellows building on Mulberry
Street that was reported to Officer Knoebel by the janitor of the
building. Officer Knoebel and the janitor returned to the basement of the
building where Walter Carlin (age 29) was sitting in a chair near the
furnace. Chief of Police Charles Stewart soon joined Officer Knoebel and
the janitor in the basement. Cheif Stewart advised Officer Knoebel that
Carlin may be a suspect in a burglary and to stall Carlin while he went to
get a witness to identify Carlin. Soon after Chief Stewart left the
basement, Carlin jumped from the chair and tried to go up the steps.
Officer Knoebel grabbed Carlin and the two struggled. Carlin pulled out a
gun and the two fought over it. The gun went off twice, striking Officer
Knoebel in the abdomen. Officer Knoebel got the gun away from Carlin but
then fell to the floor as he began to bleed profusely.
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The janitor (Archie
Monroe) instantly jumped on Carlin and took on the fight. Knowing he was
seriously injured and unable to fight any longer, Officer Knoebel
struggled up the steps to get help. As soon as he reached the sidewalk, he
slammed the two flush doors to the basement and sat on them, blocking
Carlin's escape Monroe subdued Carlin and held him until help arrived. Chief Stewart arrived soon after and took Carlin into custody. Officer
Knoebel was taken to a local hospital where he died within 30 minutes
after his arrival. Carlin was found guilty of first degree murder, and was
sentenced to be electrocuted. The sentence was ultimately commuted and
Carlin was released in 1949.
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