Bio & Incident Details
Age: 34
Tour: 2 months
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Location: Michigan
Incident Date: 3/23/1929
Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect: Apprehended
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Inspector Earl Roberts was shot and killed while he and Patrol Inspector Stanley H. Graham attempted to apprehend two suspected liquor smugglers on the St. Clair River in Algonac, Michigan. The two had observed a motorboat towing a rowboat approaching from Canada and the officers proceeded along the shore following the course of the boat in an attempt to intercept the boat when it reached the shore. The officers split up to converge on a landing point on the shore.
When the boat arrived Inspector Roberts stepped aboard the stern of the boat and identified himself as a federal officer and Patrol Inspector Graham, who was still on the shore, shined a light on the suspects. One of the suspects stood in the center of the boat aiming a gun at Inspector Roberts, and then he opened fire, fatally wounding Inspector Roberts who succumbed to his wounds the following day. The suspect then turned to fire at Patrol Inspector Graham who returned fire but neither party was hit.
The shooter attempted to flee but was later apprehended. The second suspect jumped into the rowboat to flee but was also apprehended and later testified against the shooter.
Inspector Roberts had been with the agency for two months. He was survived by his wife and two sons.
