Incident Details
Cause of Death:Patrolman Amos Hamilton was shot and killed as he and two other officers escorted a suspect to the police station for questioning of recent robberies in Delphi and Flora.
They located the suspect in a cigar store and as they walked out the front door the man ran into an nearby alley. The suspect opened fire as the officers pursued him, striking Patrolman Hamilton in the face. One of the other officers returned fire, wounding the suspect and a bystander.
The 24-year-old wounded man was able to escape but was arrested the following day. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in a change of venue to Boone County. In 1945, the governor commuted his sentence and the offender was released on parole.
A 43-year-old man received a suspended sentence of one to 10 years after being charged as an accessory after the fact to involuntary manslaughter.
Earlier that day, Patrolman Hamilton escorted the Hammond Police Department honor guard during the funeral of their fallen officer, Detective Sergeant Leo Fox, in Frankfort.
Patrolman Hamilton was survived by his wife, two children, father and stepmother.
Military Service United States Army |