Chief Probation Officer Lucile M. Myers

Chief Probation Officer Lucile M. Myers

Lake County Juvenile Probation Department, Indiana

End of Watch Sunday, March 21, 1926

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Lucile M. Myers

Chief Probation Officer Lucile Myers was shot and killed while investigating a child welfare case at a home at 417 17th Street, near the intersection of Calumet Avenue and 17th Street (modern day 170th Street).

Chief Myers had received a complaint that nine children were living in deplorable conditions and being forced to work by their father, who was exhibiting signs of mental illness. She was permitted into the house by one of the teenage children and began speaking to them of their condition. During the questioning the father entered the room and demanded that he be the only one to answer questions.

When Chief Myers continued to ask the children questions the father pulled out a revolver and shot her in the head as she sat in a chair. The man then fled from the house. It is not known if he was ever captured.

Chief Myers' teenage son had accompanied her to the home and was waiting in their vehicle when the shooting occurred. When he saw the father running from the home with the revolver he went into the home and discovered his mother. He drove her to a local hospital where she was placed in a room next to her killer's wife, who had just given birth to their tenth child. Chief Myers died approximately 20 minutes later.

Chief Myers had served with the Lake County Juvenile Probation Department for five years. She was a widow and was survived by several children. She is buried at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary, Indiana.

Bio

  • Age 51
  • Tour 5 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Not available

EDP, investigation

Most Recent Reflection

View all 7 Reflections

It's now been 96 years.

Chief Meyers, you put yourself at risk for the sake of children in need and you are a hero for that as well as all the work you did. You are also a hero because you were a pioneer for women in law enforcement. Though it's not known if your murderer was ever caught, I pray he faced true justice, if not in this world, then in the next.

Sister, thank you for your service. May God Bless you and may your eternal rest be ever peaceful.

And I acknowledge your son's courage and know God had him with you for a reason, though that horrible tragedy must have haunted him all his life. I don't know what happened to your offspring, but I hope and pray they followed your example and did good things.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

March 21, 2022

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