Patrol Officer Erwin E. Tate, Zanesville Police Department, Ohio

Patrol Officer Erwin E. Tate

Zanesville Police Department, Ohio

End of Watch Monday, April 10, 1939

Erwin E. Tate

Patrol Officer Erwin Tate was shot and killed at the southwest corner of the intersection of Second Street and Main Street while attempting to arrest a man wanted for assaulting his wife.

The suspect was later shot and killed in a shootout with other officers.

Officer Tate had served with the Zanesville Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, five children, parents, and brother.

Bio

Age 41
Tour 4 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

domestic

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Most Recent Reflection

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My Grandfather, Erwin Edgar Tate, was a loving husband and father, and a 4th year police officer. On that fateful day of April 10, 1939, he and his police partner were sent to serve a warrant for arrest. When they arrived, Grandpa was shot by a gun in the hands of the suspect. An all-points bulletin was put out that officer Tate was down and offender was on the run. A number of officers responded to the APB. When they found him two blocks away hiding under a truck, he began to fire at the officers. They returned fire and killed him. My grieving Grandmother, Jessie L. Tate felt sad for the offender also. "He had a family too" she said. Eventually, Grandma moved to San Diego to be close to her children. She lived to be 102 years old.

Elizabeth A. Ball
Granddaughter

June 3, 2018