Police Officer Francis Melvin "Jack" Rea

Francis Melvin "Jack" Rea

Officer Rea was shot and killed during a shootout while investigating a burglary at a warehouse. As he and the assistant chief arrived at the scene in a patrol car when they observed the suspect run in between two houses. Officer Rea exited the patrol car with his shotgun and pursued on foot as the assistant chief drove around the corner to cut the suspect off.

When the suspect emerged from on the other side of the houses he fired at the patrol car and he then ran back between the houses. When he did so he was confronted by Officer Rea. The two exchanged shots and Officer Rea was struck once in the head.

The suspect escaped from the scene and remained at large until 1967. He was finally apprehended and charged with Officer Rea's murder. He was initially sentenced to death but the sentence was later reduce to life in prison.

Officer Rea had served with the agency for 7 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.