Line of Duty Deaths - 1930's

Eugene W. Perry

Commission Date: January 10, 1922

Patrol Officer - Died: September 12, 1930

On September 12, 1930, at about 10:45AM, Seattle Police Officer Eugene W. Perry was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Perry was assigned to guard a courier who was in possession of a large amount of cash. They were going to the Central Terminal Station on 8th Avenue and Stewart Street. When Officer Perry and the courier arrived, a man with a rifle appeared. The suspect ordered the officer to surrender. When Officer Perry reached for his service weapon, the suspect shot him four times. The gunman fled the scene. Officer Perry was taken to the hospital by a passerby. Officer Eugene W. Perry died several hours later.

Walter G. Cottle

Commission Date: January 5, 1921

Patrol Officer - Died: September 19, 1930

On September 29, 1930, at about 10:00PM, Seattle Police Officer Walter G. Cottle was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Cottle was walking his beat and noticed a suspicious person at 12th Avenue and East Alder Street. He stopped the man and asked him if he lived in the neighborhood. The suspect produced a handgun and shot Officer Cottle in the face at point blank range. The suspect ran from the scene. Officer Walter G. Cottle was taken to Virginia Mason Hospital where he died several hours later.

Harold E.S. Williams

Commission Date: September 1, 1926

Patrol Officer - Died: August 2, 1931

On August 2, 1931, at about 3:00AM, Seattle Police Officer Harold E.S. Williams was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Williams was inside a hotel at 1607 1st Avenue when the desk clerk alerted him to a robbery in progress. The officer approached two suspects and a running gun battle ensued. During the exchange of shots, the officer's weapon jammed. The suspects continued shooting and a bullet struck Officer Williams. The suspects fled, but were captured nearby. Officer Harold E.S. Williams died several hours later.

Ralph H. Ahner

Commission Date: October 14, 1930

Motorcycle Officer - Died: September 13, 1932

On September 13, 1932, during the daytime hours, Seattle Police Officer Ralph H. Ahner died in the line of duty. Officer Ahner was assigned to the traffic division. While he was pursuing a traffic violator, his motorcycle collided with an automobile at 4th Avenue South and South Horton Street. Officer Ralph H. Ahner was taken to the hospital where he died several hours later.

Ellsworth W. Cordes

Commission Date: January 1, 1931

Motorcycle Officer - Died: December 31, 1932

On December 31, 1932, during the afternoon hours, Seattle Police Officer Ellsworth W. Cordes died in the line of duty. Officer Cordes was assigned to the traffic division. He was operating his police motorcycle on 1st Avenue South when he collided with a streetcar at South Horton Street. The officer was thrown sixty feet from his motorcycle. Officer Ellsworth W. Cordes died at the scene.

Coincidentally, this accident occurred only three blocks away from another police motorcycle fatality, that one involving Officer Cordes' partner, Ralph Ahner who was killed three and a half months earlier.

Olof F. Wilson

Commission Date: July 22, 1925

Patrol Officer - Died: March 31, 1935

On March 31, 1935, at about 10:06PM, Seattle Police Officer Olof F. Wilson was killed in the line of duty. He was walking his beat along West Dravus Street. At 15th Avenue West, he was struck by a speeding automobile which was driven by a drunk driver. The impact hurled him 129 feet. The suspect fled, but was arrested a short distance away. Officer Olof F. Wilson died at the scene from massive injuries.

Trent A. Sickles

Commission Date: November 23, 1930

Patrol Officer - Died November 26, 1935

On November 26, 1935, at about 4:50AM, Seattle Police Officer Trent A. Sickles was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Sickles and his partner, Officer Theodore E. Stevens, were working the north end of Seattle when they received a report of a burglary in progress at a tavern at 8904 Roosevelt Way Northeast. At that time, the north city limits extended only to 85th St. The officers responded to back Sheriff's Deputies, but were the first to arrive on scene. Office Sickles went to the front door as Officer Stevens covered the rear of the tavern. When Officer Sickles reached the front door, he was shot several times and fell to the ground. Officer Stevens ran to help his partner and was also shot by the suspect(s). Officer Trent A. Sickles died instantly from gunshot wounds. Officer Stevens died a short time later.

Theodore E. Stevens

Commission Date: January 1, 1929

Patrol Officer - Died: November 26, 1935

On November 26, 1935, at about 4:00AM, Seattle Police Officer Theodore E. Stevens was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Stevens and his partner Trent A. Stickles were working the north end of Seattle when they received a report of a burglary in progress at a tavern at 8904 Roosevelt Way Northeast. At that time, the north city limits extended only to 85th St. The officers responded to back Sheriff's Deputies, but were the first to arrive on scene. Office Sickles went to the front door as Officer Stevens covered the rear of the tavern. When Officer Sickles reached the front door, he was shot several times and fell to the ground. Officer Stevens ran to help his partner and was also shot by the suspect(s). Officer Trent A. Sickles died instantly from gunshot wounds. Officer Stevens died a short time later.

Con B. Anderson

Commission Date: December 2, 1929

Patrol Officer - Died: September 27, 1936

On September 27, 1936, at about 9:10AM, Seattle Police Officer Con B. Anderson died in the line of duty. Officer Anderson was at the Ballard Police Station conducting routine business when his revolver accidentally discharged after striking the floor. The bullet struck Officer Anderson in the neck and he was rushed to Ballard General Hospital. Officer Con B. Anderson died twenty minutes later.