Corporal Charles Ferdinand Vorbusch, Gretna Police Department, Louisiana

Corporal Charles Ferdinand Vorbusch

Gretna Police Department, Louisiana

End of Watch Wednesday, September 1, 1915

Charles Ferdinand Vorbusch

Corporal Vorbusch was shot and killed when he and his partner told a person to move along for violation a city ordinance prohibiting loitering in front of saloons. The subject suddenly produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Corporal Vorbusch three times. The suspect, charged with manslaughter, was tried and acquitted.

Bio

Age 24
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Acquitted

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Ferdinand was my maternal grandmother's older brother. He was the primary provider for the family at the time of his death since his father had died earlier and the family business had struggled without him. Ferdinand had moved from NOPD to Gretna for more money to better support the family shortly before being murdered. 50 years after his death, my grandmother would still cry openly at the mention of his name. My mother tends his grave. Being the last remaining LEO in the family, I am looking at his .41 Long Colt revolver while writing this. Such things echo for generations.
As a side note, while the offender escaped without a conviction, he later died in a barroom brawl due to similar behavior. Such evil is not without consequence - even if our system of justice is imperfect.

Chief Deputy US Marshal - retired
Family

October 13, 2017