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Police Officer Enoch E. Breece | Seattle Police Department, Washington Seattle Police Department, Washington

Police Officer

Enoch E. Breece

Seattle Police Department, Washington

End of Watch: Thursday, July 3, 1902

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 45

Tour: 4 years

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 7/3/1902

Weapon: Gun; Unknown type

Suspect: Not available

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Police Officer Enoch Breece was one of six officers shot and killed by an escaped convict associated with the Butch Cassidy Gang.

Officer Breece had served with the Seattle Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his wife and three children. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle.

Officer Bailey Tiffany, Officer Thurston Jones, and Officer Frank Ferrell, of the Oregon Department of Corrections, were shot and killed on June 9, 1902, by an inmate as he escaped from the Oregon State Penitentiary. The suspect also killed three civilians during the escape.

After the escape and murder of the three correctional officers and three civilians, a manhunt began for the suspect. On July 3, 1902, the suspect setup an ambush near Bothell, Washington. He shot and killed Detective Charles Raymond, of the Everett, Washington, Police Department, and wounded Deputy John Williams, of the King County, Washington, Sheriff's Department. Deputy Williams later committed suicide as a result of the incident.

The suspect then fled the scene and invaded a house, where he took the occupants hostage and ate dinner. As he left the house he encountered other officers and engaged them in a shootout. Posseman Neil Rowley, of the King County, Washington, Sheriff's Department, and Officer Enoch Breece, of the Seattle, Washington, Police Department, were both shot and killed.

On August 6, 1902, the suspect committed suicide after being wounded during a shootout with a posse in Lincoln County, Washington.

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Related Line of Duty Deaths

Detective Charles Raymond
Everett Police Department, Washington
End of Watch: Thursday, July 3, 1902
Cause: Gunfire

Posseman Cornelius Rowley
King County Sheriff's Office, Washington
End of Watch: Friday, July 4, 1902
Cause: Gunfire

Correctional Officer Thurston Jones, Sr.
Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon
End of Watch: Monday, June 9, 1902
Cause: Gunfire

Correctional Officer Frank Bonham Ferrell
Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon
End of Watch: Monday, June 9, 1902
Cause: Gunfire

Correctional Officer Bailey T. Tiffany
Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon
End of Watch: Monday, June 9, 1902
Cause: Gunfire

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Most Recent Reflection

After searching for many years, Officer Breece’s closest relatives were finally located. As he left no direct descendants and record keeping was sporadic at the time of his death in 1902, the search was difficult.

Today, 08/20/2011, at 1600 hours, Officer Breece’s niece, Mrs. Enid Ostrander (born 15 years after Officer Breece’s death) was presented with her uncle’s Medal of Honor. Issued by the Washington State Attorney General’s office in 1998, the Medal finally found its way home 13-years after its issuance.

The Medal was presented during an official ceremony conducted in the family’s backyard. Present were a dozen family members and friends. Additionally, Seattle Police Department representatives included the Deputy Chief of Operations, Chief of Police (Ret.), Honor Guard, Color Guard, Department Chaplain, Department Historian and a dozen uniformed officers.

Under the American, Washington State and Seattle Police Department flags, with Officer Breece’s memorial streamer attached, the Medal was awarded to Mrs. Ostrander. Department challenge coins were also presented to Mrs. Ostrander’s grandson, great grandson and two great granddaughters.

The most poignant comment made during the ceremony came from Deputy Chief Metz. Who stated, “We are all brothers merely separated by time. Officer Breece will always be part of our law enforcement family, and we will not forget him.”

EOW: 07/03/1902, Gone but Not Forgotten

Sgt. Ty Elster, Honor Guard Cmdr.
Seattle Police Department
August 21, 2011

 

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