Substitute Patrolman Abraham Bird

Abraham Bird

Patrolman Abraham Bird was shot and killed by J.A. Trim Davis as the Patrolman attempted to remove Davis from the vestibule of the Jockleys Circus. The Patrolman was called to the incident by the manager of the circus due to Davis' threats toward a performer, Davis' wife.

After finding Davis, both Patrolman Bird and Private Officer John A. Webb tried to escort him out when Davis pulled away, took a pistol from his right rear pants pocket, and fired at them. Neither officer was armed (firearms would not be approved for another 14 years) and both turned away from the shot. The bullet went through Patrolman Bird’s left arm and into his chest, through both lungs and the aorta at the top of his heart. Davis then went to Bird and kicked him three or four times in the back and ran out. A groom came out of the stable and immediately went to Officer Bird and found him already dead.

The suspect was found and arrested by several officers nearby. On April 2, 1875 Davis was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree and given a Life sentence.

Patrolman Bird was survived by his wife and five children.