Line of Duty Deaths - 1940-50s

FRED H. HULL

Commission Date: January 1, 1927
Patrol Officer - Died: November 15, 1945

On November 15, 1945, at about midnight, Seattle police Officer Fred H. Hull was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Hull and his partner, Officer Osborn, responded to a report of a man brandishing a knife in a tavern. The Officers located the man at a nearby service station at 19th Avenue East and East Madison Street. Attempting to elude the officers, the suspect locked himself in a restroom. Officers ordered him out. He fired a handgun through the restroom's glass door, wounding both Officer Hull and Officer Osborn. Two additional officers arrived and more shots were exchanged. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Officer Osborn survived his gunshot wounds. Officer Fred H. Hull died a short time later.

WILLIAM T. RUMBLE

Commission Date: December 13, 1941
Patrol Officer - Died: October 29, 1947

On October 29, 1947, at about 4:45AM, Seattle Police Officer William T. Rumble died in the line of duty. Officer Rumble was on patrol in downtown Seattle when another vehicle struck his patrol car at 5th Avenue and Pine Street. The impact ejected Officer Rumble from his vehicle and onto the pavement. He was then run over by his own patrol car. Officer William T. Rumble was taken to Swedish Hospital, where he died. He was survived by his wife Ailene, and two daughters Judith Ann and Maureen.

HARRY W. VOSPER

Commission Date: December 26, 1945
Detective - Died: July 21, 1949

On July 21, 1949, during the morning hours, Seattle Police Detective Harry W. Vosper was shot and killed in the line of duty. Detective Vosper responded to a barricaded man call in the 300 block of 22nd Avenue. The suspect had assaulted his wife and shot two neighbors because he was enraged about an earlier court decision not to rescind his $50 monthly support payment to his estranged wife. The suspect exchanged gunfire with officers. When he refused to surrender, tear gas was dropped inside the house and the suspect came out shooting. Detective Vosper stepped in front of another officer and was struck by gunfire. Detective Harry W. Vosper died as a result of his gunshot wounds.

JOHN T. CLANCY JR.

Commission Date: December 10, 1946
Motorcycle Officer - Died: December 28, 1949

On December 28, 1949, at about 1:30AM, Seattle Police Officer John T. Clancy was killed in the line of duty. Officer Clancy was riding his police motorcycle on Aurora Avenue North at Galer St. when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver. Officer John T. Clancy was taken to Harborview County Hospital where he died several hours later. He was survived by his wife Norma Jean, and a son Michael.

FRANK HARDY

Commission Date: December 26, 1951
Patrol Officer - Died: March 12, 1954

On March 12, 1954, at about 11:00AM, Seattle Police Officer Frank Hardy was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officers responded to a bank robbery alarm at the SeaFirst Bank, Greenwood Branch, in the 8500 block of Phinney Avenue North. Officer Hardy and Officer Vernon Chase took up positions outside the bank as Sergeant Howard Slessman approached the bank door. Sergeant Slessman was shot by one of the suspects while two other suspects left the building and exchanged gunfire with Officer Hardy and Officer Chase. All officers were hit by gunfire. The suspects fled in a stolen vehicle. In their haste, they dropped a money bag containing $90,000. Officer Chase and Sergeant Slessman survived their injuries. Officer Frank Hardy was taken to Harborview County Hospital, where he died.

JAMES C. BRIZENDINE

Commission Date: Unknown
Patrol Officer - Died: July 21, 1955

On July 21, 1955, at about 1:00AM, Seattle Police Officer James C. Brizendine was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Brizendine and his partner were investigating a report of a prowler in the 4200 block of 4th Avenue Northeast. Upon arrival, they searched the yard in question. When Officer Brizendine reached an adjoining yard, he walked toward the house shining his flashlight. The homeowner, alerted by his neighbor that there was a prowler in the area, believed Officer Brizendine was the prowler. The homeowner stated that when the flashlight hit his eyes, he thought he was going to be shot. He fired a single shotgun blast, striking Officer Brizendine in the abdomen. Officer James C. Brizendine was taken to Harborview County Hospital, where he died forty-five minutes later. He was survived by his wife Edna.