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.

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.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Deputy Henry Ronsse was assigned to the Glendale area of Los Angeles County when he was murdered. Special Deputy Ronsse, 35 years of age, was the manager of the La Crescenta Water Company and a “Special Deputy” whose actions led to his own death. John Allen, an informant, led police to an illegal and apparently popular still. Allen’s home was set afire after the still was shut down. Fearing for his life, Allen sought help from Deputy District Attorney Burke who helped Allen get a gun permit and then loaned him a weapon. Allen worked at the parking lot of the La Crescenta Lodge. He was talking to Burke, a guest there, when Deputy Ronsse drove up at 2:00 a.m. accompanied by a 16-year-old girl. Deputy Ronsse cursed Allen, circled around the car and made a move that frightened him. Allen drew his gun and fired. The girl claimed Ronsse never spoke and that Allen laughed after shooting him but Burke disagreed, saying that not only was Allen’s testimony true, Ronsse had liquor in his car. An inquest failed to determine if the killing was justified, but public sentiment was such that Deputy District Attorney McClelland filed murder charges.