Those We Lost
Detective Sylvester R. Cormack
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Died Sept. 12, 1946 while he and Detective Ben Johnston were arresting two men who were suspects in the death of Officer Jerry St. Clair. They approached the suspect vehicle at 1500 S. Frisco Avenue. The suspects exited the vehicle and began firing. Detective Cormack was killed and Detective Johnston wounded. A 17 year old suspect was wounded and captured at the scene. The other suspect was later arrested in Idaho.(See below).
Died Sept. 2, 1946 as a result of a gunshot wound he received while pursuing an armed robbery suspect. The suspect shot over his shoulder striking Detective St. Clair who was in his car. The suspect was arrested in Santa Ana, California.
Died March 16, 1941 as a result of a gunshot wound he received when he and other officers were responding to a scene where M.K.T. Railroad Special Agent W.S. Wooten had been shot and killed. Upon arrival, the suspect shot Officer Rogers who died at the scene. The suspect was killed in a shoot-out with police.
Died Oct. 10, 1944 as a result of injuries he received in a traffic collision. His motorcycle collided with another vehicle that pulled out in front of him.
Died March 24, 1937 from an accidental gunshot wound. As he began his shift, he intended to drive police matron Stella Geise to her residence. He reached into the back seat to move a double barrel shotgun. One of the hammers on the weapon apparently caught on the seat and the shotgun discharged, wounding the matron. Surprised, Officer Von Holten dropped the weapon which discharged again when it struck the floorboard. The second blast killed Officer Von Holten.