Patrolman John Vondruska

John Vondruska

Policeman John Vondruska of the Fillmore Street Station was killed when he tried to prevent an $8,000 armed robbery of the Yellow Cab Company garage at Leamington and Flournoy Street. The gunmen drove up to the garage just before 7:00 a.m. where Policeman Vondruska was stationed to prevent robberies.

When the gunmen commanded, “Stick ‘em up”, Policeman Vondruska opened fire. One of the gunmen, using a machine gun, opened fire on the policeman and mortally wounded him. The 24-year-old machine gunner was arrested at a local hospital where he went with a gunshot wound to his leg. He said he was shot by an unknown person as he was walking down the street. A witness identified him and he was charged with Policeman Vondruska's murder.

A cab driver was shot in the legs as he attempted to assist the fallen officer.