Patrolman Harry McGraw
End of Watch : February 1, 1931
Minneapolis Police Department
| Patrolman Harry McGrawEnd of Watch : February 1, 1931Minneapolis Police Department |
| OFFICER HARRY W. McGRAW Minneapolis PD Died February 1, 1931 Officer Harry W. McGraw, stationed at Loring Park Pharmacy at 1500 Hennepin Avenue, was one of several officers assigned to various businesses throughout the city to try to catch robbers. On February 1st, a man walked into the store and went to the pharmacy counter. He asked for something for his cold, then drew his gun and announced, "This is a holdup." He the ordered the pharmacist to put the money in the bag, which he did. Next, he ordered the pharmacist and the clerk to the back room toward the safe. At this point, Officer McGraw came out from behind the door with his gun drawn and found himself face to face with the suspect about five feet away. McGraw ordered the suspect to drop his gun, but the suspect fire, hitting McGraw in the chest. McGraw returned fire, hitting the suspect in the chest and then fired once more, dropping the suspect and falling on top of him. McGraw was taken to General Hospital. When it was announced that McGraw needed a blood transfusion, more than a hundred officers showed up at the hospital to donate blood. McGraw started to improve Sunday morning, but died that evening at 7:20 p.m. The suspect was identified as Harry Werner, 37, 337 Selby Avenue in St. Paul. He was known as the "paper sack" robber who was suspected of robbing several drug, grocery, and candy stores in the preceding few weeks. His partner, Roy Odenwald, was later arrested and confessed to being the gataway car driver who fled the scene when he heard the shots. He was indicted for murder and sent to Stillwater Prison. After the shooting the chief of police asked for 150 bulletproof vests at a total cost of $15,000. Officer McGraw was 49 years old. He worked for the Minneapolis Police Department for 26 years. He was hired May 1st, 1905. He directed traffic at Fifth and Nicollet for 20 of his 26 years with the department. He had been the first officer selected in 1910 when the traffic squad was organized. He was survived by his wife. His funeral was held at the Church of the Incarnation at 38th and Pleasant Avenue on Wednesday, February 4th. He was buried in Litchfield at the Greenleaf Cemetery. Sourced from: The book "We Will Remember" With permission from Lisa Lovering, Author and Board of Director MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association L.E.M.A. 2009 |
| Harry E Parker | Clayton Olson |