Western and Atlantic Railroad Police, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Saturday, March 25, 1905
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 25, 1905
Weapon Used: Handgun; .41 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Special Officer Middleton Harwell was shot and killed when he surprised two men attempting to break into a railroad freight car under the Forsyth Street Viaduct in the Western and Atlantic Railroad yards. He was moving between two railroad cards when he was shot twice in the back of the head and killed. Nearby railroad workers heard the shots and discovered his body, still clutching his revolver.
A month later two men sold a large amount of tobacco to a local store owner. Police and a railroad detective discovered the same amount of tobacco had been stolen from a freight car the previous night. The two were arrested and jailed. Two months later one of the men told jail officials his partner shot and killed Officer Harwell as they were breaking into the freight car. His partner admitted that he fired the fatal shot. On October 25, 1905, both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On August 4, 1906, one, 32, was shot and killed by a guard when he tried to escape. The other subject, 26, died in prison on January 29, 1907.
Officer Harwell had served with the Western and Atlantic Railroad Police for at least 15 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.