Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Date of Death: March 23, 1966
Rank: Officer
Age: 23
Years of Service: Eight months
Marital Status: Married
Children: One
Location of Death: 435 Hamilton Street, NW
Circumstance:
John Wansley and three other suspects entered the Lord & Taylor store at 5255 Western Avenue. They tied the employees with duct tape and robbed the store of about $30,000. The suspects then fled in a vehicle. They were spotted near Hamilton Street by Officer Stocker and two detectives. Suspect Wansley ran into 435 Hamilton Street and held an elderly couple hostage.
Officer Stocker and the detectives approached the house. Suspect Wansley, who was hiding under the porch, shot Officer Stocker in the chest. The detectives dragged his body to safety as they were under fire.
Suspect Wansley is reported to have committed suicide inside the house minutes later by cutting his own throat, nearly decapitating himself.
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