Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan
End of Watch: Sunday, November 5, 1939
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 5, 1939
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Chief Inspector Fred Boucher was killed while trying to stop an escape attempt by six prisoners at the State Prison of Southern Michigan.
Inspector Boucher was inside the prison when he was alerted to the attempt. Using a rope and a bent piece of pipe, six prisoners climbed a wall and ran to a waiting automobile. Holding a revolver, Inspector Boucher rushed out and spotted the car being driven away from the facility. He ran to the car and shouted for the prisoners to surrender. One of the prisoners in the car fired a shotgun out the window. Inspector Boucher was hit in his side and died instantly.
All of the prisoners were quickly captured. The 26-year-old gunman, serving a life sentence, was convicted of murder and received another life sentence. The other five were also convicted of murder and had 25 to 35 years added to their sentences.