Today in Wheeling History: December 26—Wheeling Police Officer Lafe Brown dies after being shot by Noah Ross on Christmas Eve (1902).
Police officer Salathiel C. "Lafe" Bowen was fatally shot on December 24, 1902 by Noah Ross while attempting to arrest him in Wheeling, West Virginia. After shooting Bowen multiple times, Ross fled across the bridge to Wheeling Island and then across another bridge into Bridgeport, Ohio. A farmer named Will Cook captured Ross at gunpoint outside Bridgeport and he was brought back to Wheeling by detectives Jerry O'Leary and Bob Driscoll. Ross claimed self-defense but witnesses disputed this. Bowen was hospitalized but died two days after being shot. His funeral took place a few days later, attended by fellow officers and members of his Knights of Pythias lodge. The service was held at his home and he was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Marshall County. Ross was found guilty of Bowen's murder but given a light sentence. In 1908, he himself was shot and killed during an attempted burglary. Bowen was survived by his wife and infant child. His death caused widespread outrage and grief in the Wheeling community, where he was respected as a brave officer.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mryb9crv) (https://tinyurl.com/bdz53ftp) (https://tinyurl.com/mr2haajd) (https://tinyurl.com/ypa59k4b) (https://tinyurl.com/yc45xsnt)
Photo Credits: Find a Grave, wheelingwv.gov, Joe Petri
Police officer Salathiel C. "Lafe" Bowen was fatally shot on December 24, 1902 by Noah Ross while attempting to arrest him in Wheeling, West Virginia. After shooting Bowen multiple times, Ross fled across the bridge to Wheeling Island and then across another bridge into Bridgeport, Ohio. A farmer named Will Cook captured Ross at gunpoint outside Bridgeport and he was brought back to Wheeling by detectives Jerry O'Leary and Bob Driscoll. Ross claimed self-defense but witnesses disputed this. Bowen was hospitalized but died two days after being shot. His funeral took place a few days later, attended by fellow officers and members of his Knights of Pythias lodge. The service was held at his home and he was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Marshall County. Ross was found guilty of Bowen's murder but given a light sentence. In 1908, he himself was shot and killed during an attempted burglary. Bowen was survived by his wife and infant child. His death caused widespread outrage and grief in the Wheeling community, where he was respected as a brave officer.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mryb9crv) (https://tinyurl.com/bdz53ftp) (https://tinyurl.com/mr2haajd) (https://tinyurl.com/ypa59k4b) (https://tinyurl.com/yc45xsnt)
Photo Credits: Find a Grave, wheelingwv.gov, Joe Petri
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