Merchant Policeman Charles Creighton Clarke

Charles Creighton Clarke

Merchant Policeman Charles Clarke was shot and killed while he and several Seattle Police Department detectives investigated an international gang suspected of extorting local merchants.

Policeman Clarke was interviewing a suspect in the Alps Hotel lobby at 621 King Street when another suspect in the crowd opened fire, striking him three times.

Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire but missed the suspect. Ten suspects were arrested in connection with Policeman Clarke's murder.

Policeman Clarke had been laid off from the Seattle Police Department several months before his death but was given a special police commission to keep order in a Chinatown dance hall. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.