Officer Guy Norris

Guy Norris

Officer Guy Norris was the first of four Akron Policemen to be shot and killed by members of an Italian gang in retaliation for the Akron Police Department's crackdown on their gambling dens and brothels.

His body was found on South High Street, between Thornton and Voris Streets. He had been shot in the back several times. The gang was responsible for the deaths of Officers Edward J. Costigan and Joseph H. Hunt, both shot and killed January 10, 1918, and Officer Gothin H. Richards, shot and killed March 12, 1918.

The Akron Police Department was baffled by the murders, not realizing the gangs involvement until an anonymous phone caller implicated one of the gang members who was arrested in New York. The suspect implicated five other gang members who were arrested and charged with murder.

Four of the suspects were executed in Ohio's electric chair, one on October 4, 1918, two on February 19, 1919, and one July 24, 1919. The other two suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One was released in 1934 and deported to Italy. The other suspect was denied parole in 1964.

Officer Norris had served with the Akron Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and parents.