Archives: Fallen Officers

Orlando E. Bridgeman

Orlando E. Bridgeman, one of the best-liked and most efficient members of the department, met his death on the evening of March 21, 1923, when his revolver, slipping from his holster, fell to the pavement, discharging it, the bullet penetrating the body of the officer, from which wound he died a short time later. The officer, at this time, was rendering assistance to a citizen, doing his duty as an officer. His interment was said to have been the largest attended of any ever held in his city.

J.R. Wilkinson

One of the colorful figures in the law-enforcement work of the Southwest was J.R. Wilkinson, affectionately known as “Dad,” who served as a member of the local department. His experience as a Texas Ranger, a guard on the Mexican Border and as a Deputy Sheriff in different sections of the country, qualified him as a high-grade peace-officer.

On January 17, 1923, while making an arrest in the Amusement Zone of this city, “Dad” was stricken with a heart attack and died in the arms of a brother officer.

John F. McCarthy

Little is known of the circumstances that led Officer John F. McCarthy to the rear room of a boarding house on Nov. 30, 1922. It was believed that he was called to the room to settle a dispute over a Chinese lottery ticket.

While he was in the room, an argument started which escalated to a full melee. Reports of yelling, furniture being overturned, and gunshots were later given to the officers who were sent to the scene. Witnesses described the noise as horrific. McCarthy was heard to yell out repeatedly for the assailants to stop beating him. His yelling stopped as numerous gunshots were heard. Witnesses saw three men run from the boarding house, one held a revolver in his hand.

Oakland police received a mysterious call from an individual who said that there was trouble at the location. Arriving officers discovered McCarthy mortally injured from five gunshot wounds. The room was in total disarray, indicating a violent struggle had taken place. Large amounts of whiskey and cocaine were found in the room. McCarthy’s revolver was missing. It is believed that he was shot with his own weapon.

Two suspects were arrested shortly after the officers arrived and made their terrible discovery. However, they were released the following day. A $350 reward was set aside for the arrest of the perpetrators.

McCarthy, 44, had served 14 years with the Oakland Police Department. His wife and two small children survived him.

Roy E. Burton

On July 27, 1922, Special Officer Roy E. Burton was shot and killed from ambush while in the performance of his duties at the San Bernardino, California Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad yard.

Special Officer Burton was patrolling the west end of the San Bernardino AT&SF switching yard at about 2040 hours when he was fired upon from the darkness.  Burton was shot twice.  When his body was discovered at about 2130 hours near the main tracks he had his revolver in hand, which held three empty shell cases in the cylinder.

Roy E. Burton was born on September 28, 1891, in Missouri.  Burton was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and a member of the American Legion.  Burton was survived by his wife.