Officer John Francis Young

End of Watch : July 13, 1919

OFFICER JOHN FRANCIS YOUNG
Minneapolis PD
Died July 13, 1919

Just before daylight, Officers John Young and O.W. Hidinger noticed a suspicious vehicle at the Minneapolis Packing Company at 211 Washington Avenue North. Four suspects got out of the car at Third Avenue North and went into the alley as the driver, who was acting as a lookout, drove around to Second Avenue. Finding the car parked in the middle of the street, the officers walked up to it, but before they could say anything, the suspect stuck an automatic pistol into Young's chest and fired. Officer Hidinger caught Young as he fell to the ground. Hidinger then fired four shots into the car and one through the windshield, wounding the lookout. The other four suspects ran out of the alley and jumped into the car, fleeing south on Washington while firing at the officers. Hidinger emptied his gun and then took Young's gun and emptied it. All in all, Hidinger fired thirty shots at the suspects who, as it turned out, were about to blow a safe. Young died 20 minutes after the shooting at City Hospital.

Four hours later the suspect vehicle, which had been stolen on July 6, was found abandoned at 1087 Minnehaha Avenue South in St. Paul with seven bullet holes in it and blood in the back seat. No one was ever arrested for the crime.

Officer Young was 50 years old. He was survived by his wife and eight children; Hugh, Edward, Raymond, Margaret, Helen, Loretta, Agnes, and Mrs. J. L. Danielson. He first worked for the department from May, 1893-1900, when he was discharged during the Ames administration. Ten years later he returned. His funeral was held at his home at 2617 28 Avenue South on July 17, and then at Holy Rosary Church. His burial was at St. Mary's 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

George Woessner

Paul Gottfried