Des Moines Police Department, Iowa
End of Watch: Friday, April 12, 1918
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 11 months
Badge Number: 54
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 17, 1917
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Officer Geoge Mattern was shot while investigating gun shots he heard while walking his regular beat.
As he headed towards the sound of the shots he met the suspect who shot him in the abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries eight months later.
The suspect was fleeing from another officer after robbing a bar. He escaped capture and was never caught.