Pontiac Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch: Saturday, August 7, 1926
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 5, 1926
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1945
Police Officer Frank Powley was shot and killed by a prisoner escaping from the Pontiac Police headquarters.
He and another man had just been arrested by another officer. The officer walked them to the police headquarters without searching them or handcuffing them. As they approached the booking desk one of the men drew a concealed gun and shot Officer Powley in the abdomen, mortally wounding him. Officer Powley succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The 22-year-old subject was sentenced to life at hard labor. He was paroled in 1945.
Officer Powley was a WWI veteran and had served with the Pontiac Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.