Sergeant Richard F. Cummings

Richard F. Cummings

Sergeant Richard Cummings or the 42nd Precinct was run over while guarding wagons of Montgomery and Ward Company, on Washington Street, near Dearbonr. Sergeant Cummings commanded a large group of officers assigned to an area experiencing serious labor problems. Verbal conflict flared between striker breakers and strike sympathizers. A horse-drawn wagon driver disobeyed police orders and attempted to force his vehicle into a heavily congested area. The side of the wagon struck Sergeant Cummings, throwing him to the ground. The sergeant died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Sergeant Cummings died in Alexian Bros. Hospital. The horse driver was arrested and held by Coroner's Jury May 10.

He was acquitted by jury in Judge Kavanagh's court, Oct. 23, 1906.