Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Wednesday, May 17, 1899
Add to My HeroesFrederick M. "Fritz" Passau
Sergeant Fritz Passau was shot and killed while searching for a double murder suspect in a house on Fowler's Hill. The suspect was hiding in the attic and as Sergeant Passau passed by he was shot in the back twice. The suspect surrendered after hiding in the house for several more hours.
The suspect were convicted of Sergeant Passau's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging on August 18, 1899, in Rockville, Maryland, for the two previous murders.
Sergeant Passau had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to the 7th Precinct. He was born in Germany and was a Freemason who had served in the United States Army. He was survived by his wife and two children and is burited in section 13 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 11 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Executed in 1899
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsI do not believe that either of the two defendants in this case were convicted of Sergeant Passau's murder. They were convicted of the Maryland murders, though one of them is thought to be innocent.
Retired Sergeant MPDC
Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC.
February 28, 2016
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