This Geocache is dedicated to Thomas Eckhart for his service to the City of Salem. He is the only Salem Police Officer to die in the line of duty. According to the Salem Police website:
Patrolman Thomas Eckhart was shot and killed after arresting a subject.
Officer Eckhart was walking an apparently cooperative subject to the city jail after arresting him for a warrant. However, Officer Eckhart had no idea at the time that a warrant had never actually been issued.
When the two men arrived at the jail door, the subject distracted Officer Eckhart, pulled out a concealed handgun, and shot Officer Eckhart in the abdomen and leg. Officer Eckhart was taken to Salem Hospital, but his wounds proved fatal, and he died that same day (Friday, October 1, 1909).
The subject surrendered eight days later and was convicted of second degree murder, but the conviction was later overturned and reduced to manslaughter.
Patrolman Thomas Eckhart was survived by his wife and five children.
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