Rockland Police Department, Maine
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 16, 1938
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 16, 1938
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
Patrolman Chapman was shot and killed by a suspect he had arrested earlier in the day. Patrolman Chapman had arrested the 60-year-old suspect for public drunkenness. After being released from custody, the suspect returned home and obtained a handgun. He later confronted Patrolman Chapman in downtown Rockland. The suspect pointed the gun at Patrolman Chapman and said, "How quick are you on the draw?" Before Patrolman Chapman could react, the suspect shot him once in the head, killing him.
The suspect was caught hours later and confessed to the crime at a little before 1 AM. After a brief committal in the state psychiatric hospital in Bangor, he pleaded guilty to murder in May 1938 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was denied a pardon on June 7, 1951.