Spokane Police Department, Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, February 12, 1939
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: February 12, 1939
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer John Miller was accidentally shot and killed while attending an FBI investigation training school in Washington, DC.
He and another school attendee were practicing quick draw from the hip with unloaded weapons at their boarding house at 1717 P Street, NW. Officer Miller had asked the other officer to show him the move one last time before going to dinner. The other officer, forgetting that he had reloaded his weapon, drew the weapon and pulled the trigger, striking Officer Miller in the head.
The local coroner ruled Officer Miller's death as accidental.
Officer Miller had served with the Spokane Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.