Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch: Thursday, April 21, 1921
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 21, 1921
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Elmer Sprosty was shot and killed while investigating gun shots he heard while on patrol on Scovill Street. When he went to investigate he encountered a group of men running from a building. One of the men in the group opened fire, striking Patrolman Sprosty. After Patrolman Sprosty fell to the ground, the man went up to him and shot him two more times. Another nearby patrolman witnessed the incident and returned fire, wounding the shooter.
All of the men were later apprehended; two were sentenced to life; one for first degree murder and the other for second degree murder. The cases of the remaining two suspects were nulled. On February 21, 1928, the 25-year-old suspect convicted of second degree murder, was burned to death in his cell. He purposely or accidentally set fire to his bed.
Patrolman Sprosty was a United States Navy WWI veteran had been with the agency for only six months. He was survived by his wife and his father, who was a Captain with the agency. He is buried in West park Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.