FRANK J. KNOEBEL
Officer Knoebel was investigating a suspicious person in the basement of the Odd Fellows building on Mulberry Street that was reported to Officer Knoebel by the janitor of the building. Officer Knoebel and the janitor returned to the basement of the building where Walter Carlin (age 29) was sitting in a chair near the furnace. Chief of Police Charles Stewart soon joined Officer Knoebel and the janitor in the basement. Cheif Stewart advised Officer Knoebel that Carlin may be a suspect in a burglary and to stall Carlin while he went to get a witness to identify Carlin. Soon after Chief Stewart left the basement, Carlin jumped from the chair and tried to go up the steps. Officer Knoebel grabbed Carlin and the two struggled. Carlin pulled out a gun and the two fought over it. The gun went off twice, striking Officer Knoebel in the abdomen. Officer Knoebel got the gun away from Carlin but then fell to the floor as he began to bleed profusely.
The janitor (Archie Monroe) instantly jumped on Carlin and took on the fight. Knowing he was seriously injured and unable to fight any longer, Officer Knoebel struggled up the steps to get help. As soon as he reached the sidewalk, he slammed the two flush doors to the basement and sat on them, blocking Carlin's escape Monroe subdued Carlin and held him until help arrived. Chief Stewart arrived soon after and took Carlin into custody. Officer Knoebel was taken to a local hospital where he died within 30 minutes after his arrival. Carlin was found guilty of first degree murder, and was sentenced to be electrocuted. The sentence was ultimately commuted and Carlin was released in 1949.