Archives: Fallen Officers

John F. Toolen

John Francis Toolen, the murdered police sergeant, who had recently passed an examination for a lieutenancy with the highest mark, was one of the most picturesque members of the Los Angeles police department. The son of a wealthy contractor and politician of Chicago, and himself a member of the bar, he ignored splendid opportunities to practice his profession and enter business in order to indulge his love for police work.

He was the son of Andrew J. Toolen, former Commissioner of Public Works in Chicago, who was prominent in the politics of that city for many years. His brother is Clarence A. Toolen, law partner of Patrick H. O’Donnell, a famous Chicago attorney.

When he was but a small boy in Chicago John Francis Toolen displayed his preference for police work, an attraction that developed almost into a passion with him in later life. He would leave his home in an exclusive residential district in Chicago No. 4444 Lake Avenue and spend all his spare time out of school and during his vacations in frequenting the police stations, and in visiting with policemen on their beats. He came to know practically every Chicago policeman, and while still in his teens became an authority on police work.

His family urged him to enter one of the professions. In preparation for the law, he graduated from Lake Forrest College, from the Kent College of Law in Chicago, and was a student for several years at Notre Dame University where he became a football star and athlete.

When he was admitted to the bar he entered the District Attorney’s office in Chicago and specialized on work pertaining to the police department. He continued his close relations with the members of the force.

While employed in public office he eloped with Miss Minnie Warden, a nice of Congressman Martin B. Madden of Chicago, the present Republican nominee for United States Senate in Illinois, and known as the richest member of Congress. Her brother is Paul Warden of the District Attorney’s office in this city.

In 1901 Mr. Toolen came to Los Angeles with his father. They lived in a home adjoining that occupied by Carter Harrison, the famous Chicago Mayor, in Altadena. Mr. Toolen Sr. and Carter Harrison were personal friends and political allies.

The young man decided he wished to remain here permanently. His father desired him to continue his legal work, and Congressman Madden, who had a keen person interest in the young attorney’s welfare, offered him a splendid opening in Chicago. All these offers he declined.

His father then arranged for a good business for him here, but he declared he would never engage in any work that kept him indoors. Then, in the summer of 1901, he broke away from his legal connections and took up outdoor work. His first job was with the Southern Pacific in the capacity of locomotive fireman. He continued that work until he achieved his great desire by becoming a member of the Los Angeles police department, November 7, 1906.

He entered into police duty with a zest that won recognition and promotion. Responsibilities were placed on him by his superiors, and his devotion to duty became one the classics of the department. As quickly as permitted under the departmental regulations he passed the examination for sergeant, with a general average of 85 per cent, an exceptionally high average.

He was appointed sergeant October 31, 1910. Sergeant Toolen lived with his family at 3214 North Broadway. He was 40 years old. He leaves Mrs. Toolen and two children Andrew J. Toolen, a 17 year old high school student, and Cecelia V. Toolen, 18 years old.

John F. Dixon

Taken from Mendocino paper

The most terrible tragedy that has disturbed Point Arena for a quarter of a century occurred Wednesday night shortly before 11 o’clock when Marshal John Dixon was shot through the heart with a Springfield army rifle by William S. Harvey.

During the evening Harvey was about town and had a few drinks. When he became slightly intoxicated, the saloon men refused to give him more liquor. He went home and got his rifle, and walked into Sid Groshong’s saloon and asked for a drink, but Sid refused. He asked why, and was told that he was under the influence and could not get any more. With that Harvey raised his rifle, which he carried by his side, and said: “I will show you whether I will or not. You can go and get your Marshal, but I don’t think you will.” Mr. Groshong reached the door just as Marshal Dixon came up, and in a second the rifle cracked and the officer fell to the sidewalk a corpse. Harvey then stepped out and took hold of the dead body and said, “Dick, you – – – get up. I want to talk to you.” He shook the body considerably and took off the star and put it in his pocket. He returned to the saloon and helped himself to two bottles of whiskey, most of which he drank. Harvey then started up the street and seeing Thomas Moungovan, who was getting out of his way, called to him not to run as he would not shoot him. With this assurance Mr. Moungovan started toward him, when he leveled his rifle as if intending to shoot and Moungovan got out of the way.

Harvey went down Laurel Street ad sat down behind a pile of lumber, where he remained until about 1 o’clock, and then went home.

Constable Ball and Tom Moungovan went to the house a half hour later and found their man lying on the bed asleep. They aroused him, put on handcuffs and locked him up in the town jail.

Coroner Fred Warren held an inquest on the body and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts.

John F. Dixon has been Marshal of the City of Point Arena ever since its incorporation. Several times he had occasion to take care of Harvey and lock him up, which created an unfriendly feeling toward the officer and which asserted itself when the man became intoxicated.

The unfortunate affair is keenly felt by our people.

The murdered man was born in Utah, June 6, 1871. He has lived in Point Arena since he was three years old. On October 29, 1901, he married Mary Reilly.

William Harvey was employed in the blacksmith shop of N>P> Howe. He is a good mechanic and when sober a quiet, well-behaved man, but under the influence of liquor is just the reverse. He is a married man, but has no children.

Harvey was sentenced to serve 40 years in San Quentin by Judge White. He was tried for the killing of Marshal John Dixon of Point Arena on September 23, and convicted of murder in the second degree. It took the jury over 24 hours to arrive at a decision.

Harvey’s attorney tried to prove that the defendant was temporarily insane, caused by over-indulgence in intoxicating liquor.

District Attorney McCowen’s arguments, however, were to the effect that Harvey’s act was cold-blooded murder and that he was a man of bad reputation when drinking.

The case went to trial Wednesday morning in the Superior Court at Ukiah before the following jury: L.B. Kneeland, W.K. Ford, S.A. Fortune, J.A. Gibson, Harry Cameron, W.M. Ford, J.W. Wilson, Ukiah; G. Cameron, Navarro; A. Bowman, Laytonville; O.S. Babcock, Boonville; J. A. McMaster, Mendocino; and L. Hoag, Boonville.

Oliver S. Hopkins

Sgt. Oliver S. Hopkins was killed July 2, when a suspect in a pickup truck intentionally struck his police motorcycle. Upon being hit, his motorcycle got stuck under the truck. He was dragged more than a block. He succumbed to injuries while in surgery three hours later.

The suspect was later arrested by the chief of police and subsequently sentenced to two years.

Benjamin F. Ingram

Dep. Marshal Blondin and Dep. Marshal Benjamin Ingram were checking a Tracy restaurant for a subject wanted on a warrant. After leaving the restaurant they were confronted by an uninvolved subject. A gun fight took place and both Ingram and Blondin were fatally wounded.

Frank Blondin

Dep. Marshal Frank Blondin and Dep. Marshal Benjamin Ingram were checking a Tracy restaurant for a subject wanted on a warrant. After leaving the restaurant they were confronted by an uninvolved subject. A gun fight took place and both Ingram and Blondin were fatally wounded.