Lancaster Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Monday, March 28, 1927
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 5 years, 2 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 28, 1927
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: At large
Lieutenant Elwood Gainor was beaten and shot to death after being abducted after making a traffic stop at the intersection of Mulberry Street and King Street.
His body was found on Hook Road in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the following day. His skull had been crushed and he had been shot in the head four times. It is believed that he was abducted and murdered by bootleggers who were operating in Lancaster.
The investigation of his murder was one of the most famous, longest, and most intense in Pennsylvania's history. Three state police officers appointed to investigate his case committed suicide. Each took charge of the investigation after the other's death. Several suspects involved with the underworld were identified but later killed or eliminated as a suspect.
Several officials came forward and said another chapter should be added to the story but would not talk. Lieutenant Gainor's murder remains unsolved.
Lieutenant Gainor served with the Lancaster Police Department for more than five years.