Charleston Police Department, West Virginia
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 10, 1940
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 9, 1940
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 18 years
Patrolman Raymond Munson succumbed to gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to arrest a local constable for drunk driving near the intersection of Washington Street and Patrick Street. As he and another officer were placing the suspect in the patrol car he bolted and ran. As Patrolman Munson pursued, the suspect turned and shot him once in the abdomen. Despite being shot Patrolman Munson continued to pursue the suspect and subdued him. Patrolman Munson died at the hospital the next day.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 18 years in prison May 18, 1941. He was killed in an automobile accident several years after being released.
Patrolman Munson was Michigan Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Charleston Police Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.