Officer James J. Sullivan

James J. Sullivan

Officer Sullivan was shot and killed while conducting a robbery stakeout at a local service station. Officer Sullivan was concealed inside a small room in the service station when two suspects entered and attempted to rob the attendent. The suspects heard Officer Sullivan and then exchanged shots with the officer. Officer Sullivan was shot four times and fatally wounded.

One of the suspects, a 20 year old youth, was arrested along with his 19 year old brother who drove the get-away car, four days later. The other suspect, a 17 year old youth, was captured in Stockton, California a week later.

The suspect who drove the get-away car was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The other two were convicted of Officer Sullivan's murder and sentenced to life in prison on April 29, 1931. In 1940 the sentence of one of the suspects was reduced to 22 years.

Officer Sullivan was survived by his wife.