Seattle Police Department, Washington
End of Watch: Friday, January 14, 1921
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 14, 1921
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: One shot and killed
Police Officer Volney Stevens was shot and killed after he and his partner stopped a stolen vehicle containing four subjects at 32nd Avenue West and W McGraw Street.
When the officers approached the stolen vehicle, both of them were shot. Officer Stevens managed to return fire killing one suspect. He died of his wounds and his partner later recovered.
The other three suspects were apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. One was paroled on April 6, 1927. Another was paroled on July 3, 1929. The third suspect along with another inmate escaped from Walla Walla Penitentiary on November 9, 1925. Three weeks later he was captured in Eugene, Oregon, after he burglarized a store. He was paroled on July 3, 1929. On August 17, 1931, he was charged with robbing a grocery store in Tacoma.
Officer Stevens had served with the Seattle Police Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.