Officer Down Memorial Page

My grandfather, Rudolph F. Wurstner,was sworn in on Dec.1, 1902. His friend, John C. Post, was sworn in shortly after. They became very close and remained so for over 24 years. Each of their wives was named Carrie. On September 23, 1927, Captain Post was shift commander at police headquarters at the old Market House on Main Street. My grandfather, who became Chief of Police in 1925, was at the old fairgrounds on South Main Street with my grandmother and Mrs. Post. They were enjoying the Fall harness racing, a very popular pastime in those days. At one point, a young trembling officer ran up to my grandfather and said he needed to talk to the Chief in private. My grandfather left the grandstand with the officer, who proceeded to tell him that Captain Post had been shot and that his condition was very bad. (Captain Post died the next day). Chief Wurstner returned to his seat and broke the news to Carrie Post and Carrie Wurstner that his old friend had been severely wounded in the line of duty.
My grandfather continued as Dayton's Police Chief until his retirement in 1949. At that time, he had served far longer than any other chief of a major American city(24 years). Many years after he retired, I had the opportunity on several occasions to talk to him about his 47 years on the force. He, of course, talked about the innovation of two-way communications, the advent of fingerprinting, mugshots, the capture of John Dillinger in Dayton, etc. The one thing he emphatically expressed was his love and admiration for his old friend, John Post, A TRUE POLICEMAN.

Jack Barstow
Grandson of former Chief Wurstner
April 24, 2008

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