Detective Louis L. Shirley
New York Central Railroad Police Department
Railroad Police
End of Watch: Saturday, April 14, 1923

Biographical Info
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, April 14, 1923
Incident Location: Indiana
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Convicted of manslaughter

Detective Louis Shirley was shot and killed while patrolling the New York Central rail yards in downtown Elkhart, Indiana. He was shot in the back twice when he interrupted the burglary of railroad cars near the passenger terminal. Detective Shirley had voluntarily started his shift 30 minutes early but was shot at 1723 hours, only 23 minutes later.

A suspect was arrested but convicted only of manslaughter and sentenced to the maximum two to 21 years in prison. The suspect was later sentenced to life in prison after a conviction of being a habitual offender.

Detective Shirley had served with the New York Central Railroad Police Department for three years. He was a World War I veteran and had received several citations for bravery while in the armed forces. He was survived by his widowed mother.