Detective John David Schroeder

John David Schroeder

Detective John Schroeder was shot and killed when he surprised three men who were robbing a pawn shop.

Detective Schroeder was at the business to conduct a background investigation of a police recruit.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder but released on a technicality after serving only 12 years. After being released he committed an armed robbery and was returned to jail.

Detective Schroeder had been with the Boston Police Department for 22 years. He was survived by his parents and four siblings. One his other brothers, Patrolman Walter Schroeder, was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 24, 1970, while working for the same agency.