Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Saturday, December 31, 1949
Add to My HeroesGeorge M. Mitchell
Police Officer George Mitchell succumbed to a gunshot wound when he was shot by two robbers while he and another officer were on stakeout duty in a grocery store at Gratz and Berks streets.
At 6:00 p.m. on December 30, 1949, two men entered the store and robbed a cashier of $70.00. When Officer Mitchell arrived one of the subjects pulled out a gun and shot Officer Mitchell. The other officer chased the subjects, but they evaded capture.
Officer Mitchell was transported to the Homeopathic Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the next day.
Five weeks later, two men, 24 and 33, arrested a week earlier for another crime, confessed to the robbery. The younger said he shot Officer Mitchell and was also identified by the cashier. The older suspect was sentenced to life and the younger to death. In 1955, his sentence was commuted to life.
Officer Mitchell was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and served with the Philadelphia Police Department for four years. He was the father of two small children.
Bio
- Age 39
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 3184
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, December 30, 1949
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced commuted to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsOfficer Mitchell,
On today, the 75th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
December 31, 2024
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