Archives: Fallen Officers

Robert H. Morgan

Officer Morgan succumbed to injuries sustained on Monday, October 30, 1950, in a motorcycle accident. He was attempting to stop a traffic violator when another car turned left in front of him at New York Street and Atlantic Avenue. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injures three days later.

Alexander C. Haddock

On June 13, 1949, 46-year-old Alexander C. Haddock, a police officer with 14 years of service, responded to a burglary alarm at the El Segundo High School. When he arrived, he found a burglar with whom he became engaged in a gun battle. Haddock killed the suspect but sustained a bullet wound to his right leg. Doctors were not able to remove the bullet and Haddock died as a result of complications of his injury over one year later.

James S. Weir

On Saturday afternoon, June 2, 1950, Officer James S. Weir, 33, was assigned as the second officer on an Oakland Police Department ambulance. When a call was broadcast reporting a robbery in progress and shooting on 28th Street, Weir and his partner sped southbound on West Street with their red light shining and siren screaming.

The police ambulance entered the intersection of West and MacArthur Boulevard at the same time as another responding police vehicle. The two cars collided, and Weir was thrown from the ambulance. He head struck the curb and died instantly.

Oliver P. Mitchell

On April 29, 1950, Constable Oliver P. Mitchell died of a cerebral hemorrhage, the result of being struck in the head approximately one year earlier by an arrestee while transporting the prisoner to Fresno County Jail.

Born on February 1, 1888, Mitchell was a native of DeKalb County, Missouri.  He resided in Laton for eighteen years and was Constable of the Laton Judicial District for twelve of those years.  He also operated a garage business.  Mitchell was a member of numerous fraternal organizations and the Fresno County Peace Officer’s Association.

On May 2, 1950, Masonic funeral services were held at the People’s Undertaking Parlor in Hanford, internment followed at Fowler Cemetary.  Constable Mitchell was survived by his wife Alice, daughters Mary Ann and Belle, and six foster children he raised as his own.