LEOKA

Patrolman James R. Bailey Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Monday, October 11, 1971 Biographical Info Age: 36 Tour of Duty: 7 years Badge Number: 66 Incident Details Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle Date of Incident: Monday, October 11, 1971 Weapon Used: Not available Suspect Info: Charged with negligent homicide Patrolman Bailey was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while directing traffic at a construction zone on the Fort Henry Bridge on I-70. He had signaled a lane of traffic to stop. The first car in the line stopped but a tractor trailer traveling behind it could not stop in time. The driver swerved into the construction zone and struck Patrolman Bailey. He was transported to Ohio Valley General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries later that evening. The driver of the truck was charged with negligent homicide. Patrolman Bailey had served with the agency for 7 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Patrolman James R. Wolfe Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Saturday, January 31, 1931 Biographical Info Age: 23 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident Date of Incident: Saturday, January 31, 1931 Weapon Used: Not available Suspect Info: Not available Patrolman Wolfe was killed in a motorcycle accident while chasing a speeder. Patrolman Wolfe died at the North Wheeling Hospital two hours after his motorcycle had skidded on the wet River Road, near the Wheeling terminal bridge, and catapulted him into a Wheeling Traction passenger waiting station. Patrolman Wolfe had the fatal accident while chasing a speeder north of the River road. His motorcycle is believed to have skidded on the wet Streetcar rails.

Patrolman Charles Brunhaus Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Wednesday, January 20, 1926 Biographical Info Age: 35 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident Date of Incident: Wednesday, January 20, 1926 Weapon Used: Not available Suspect Info: Not available Patrolman Charles Brunhaus died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier in the day. He was returning to the department's headquarters from the Woodsdale area at the end of his shift. His motorcycle struck a parked car on 16th Street and he was thrown to the ground. He sustained severe head injuries and died at a local hospital. Patrolman Brunhaus was single at the time of his death.

Patrolman Ray M. Lazear Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Monday, January 12, 1925 Biographical Info Age: 24 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Monday, January 12, 1925 Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber Suspect Info: Not available Patrolman Lazear was shot and killed by a homeowner who mistook him for a robbery suspect. The man had been robbed at his home by two suspects and called police. When Patrolman Lazear responded to the scene he began to open the home's door but was shot by the homeowner.

Patrolman Herman H. Bartels Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Wednesday, May 3, 1922 Biographical Info Age: 40 Tour of Duty: 2 years Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Monday, May 1, 1922 Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver Suspect Info: Commuted to life Patrolman Bartels succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier while arresting a man for being drunk in public. The man had been arrested six times for the same charge the previous month and had vowed to kill the next policeman who arrested him. As Patrolman Bartels patrolled the Elm Grove business district he observed the man drinking in public. After placing him under arrest he searched the man and confiscated a small revolver. As he walked the man to jail he was suddenly attacked. During the ensuing struggle the man was able to regain control of the revolver and shot Patrolman Bartels in the chest. The man was taken into custody by several citizens who were attending a nearby baseball game. Patrolman Bartels was transported to North Wheeling Hospital where he died two days later. His killer was sentenced to death for the murder but the sentence was commuted to life in prison by the governor. Patrolman Bartels had served with the agency for 2 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Patrolman Henry C. Seamon Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Monday, February 26, 1917 Biographical Info Age: 39 Tour of Duty: 12 years Badge Number: 35 Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Monday, February 26, 1917 Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver Suspect Info: Sentenced to life Patrolman Henry Seamon was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute on Wood Street. A small boy had informed him that his father had a gun and was going to shoot his mother. When Patrolman Seamon arrived at the home he located the mother in the front yard and began talking to her. When the husband came around the corner of the house Patrolman Seamon confronted him and asked if he had a gun. The man indicated he did but refused to hand it over to the patrolman. As Patrolman Seamon attempted to keep the man from pulling the gun out a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to fire a shot, striking Patrolman Seamon in the neck. Patrolman Seamon was able to return fire once but did not strike the suspect. The man then took the patrolman's hat and gun. Neighbors notified other officers who arrested the subject wearing Patrolman Seamon's hat and carrying both revolvers. Patrolman Seamon was transported to Ohio Valley General Hospital where he died approximately two hours later. Patrolman Seamon had served with the agency for 12 years. He was survived by several siblings.

Patrolman Salavia C. (Lafe) Bowen Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Friday, December 26, 1902 Biographical Info Age: 39 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Wednesday, December 24, 1902 Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type Suspect Info: Sentenced to 3 years Patrolman Lafe Bowen succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier when he was shot while attempting to arrest a suspect. The man fled to Ohio after the murder where he was arrested after a shootout with Bridgeport, Ohio, officers. He was returned to West Virginia and charged with Patrolman Bowen's murder. The suspect was found guilty of Patrolman Bowen's murder but was only sentenced to 3 years, which he served at the Moundsville Penitentiary. On January 11, 1908, he was shot and killed by a 14 year-old boy when he attempted to burglarize the boys home in Alverton, Pennsylvania. Patrolman Bowen was survived by his wife and infant child.

Patrolman Joseph Glenn Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Tuesday, January 17, 1888 Biographical Info Age: 26 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Tuesday, January 17, 1888 Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1898 Patrolman Glenn was shot and killed as he investigated a possible burglary. Patrolman Gleen spotted two men acting suspiciously in an ally next to a private residence. When he approached the men, they opened fire, striking him three time. The suspects fled the scene. Both suspects were convicted of Patrolman Glenn's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Both were pardoned by Governor George W. Atkinson February 1, 1898. Patrolman Glenn was single at the time of his murder.

Patrolman John P. Brady Wheeling Police Department West Virginia End of Watch: Sunday, September 27, 1868 Biographical Info Age: 32 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Fire Date of Incident: Sunday, September 27, 1868 Weapon Used: Not available Suspect Info: Not available Patrolman John Brady was killed while assisting the fire department fight a fire at a foundry on Market Street. Several people were trapped inside of the foundry and it was necessary to entry an adjacent store to fight the fire. As Patrolman Brady and another officer entered the building collapsed, killing Patrolman Brady. Three citizens and two firemen were also killed as a result of the fire. Patrolman Brady was survived by his wife.