1917-11-24 Rourke William
Detective William Rourke

Entered Division of Police
June 17, 1888
Died In the Line of Duty
November 24, 1917

Detective William Rourke became a member of the department June 17, 1888, and was killed November 24, 1917.  Assigned to the pawnshop detail, he was making his rounds when one Will Wright walked into a pawnshop with a bundle under his arm, presumed to be stolen property. The detective identified himself and asked what was in the bundle, whereupon Wright whipped out a gun and shot the officer.  Wright escaped but was later apprehended and sentenced to death in the electric chair in the Ohio Penitentiary.