Officer Joseph F. Ferguson was shot and killed while questioning three suspicious men.

Officer Ferguson and his partner stopped three men because they saw a bulge under one of the men’s coat. One of the men convinced them that he was not with the remaining two suspects and was allowed to leave. A gun was found during a search of the others and they were placed under arrest.

During the arrest, the first man returned to the scene with a handgun he obtained at a nearby barbershop. The patrolmen were ordered to drop their weapons and to enter their patrol car with the offenders. Officer Ferguson’s partner drew his backup weapon and a gun battle ensued. Officer Ferguson was struck four times; he succumbed to his wounds. His partner suffered minor shrapnel wounds.

He was survived by his wife and two kids.