Linton Police Department night policeman Fred Cromwell was shot and killed in the line of duty Feb. 7, 1915, after surprising a burglar inside a local clothing store.

Cromwell was making his early morning rounds when he discovered a key left in the store’s front door. As he opened the door to investigate, he was shot twice and killed instantly.

The suspect fled the area and was apprehended approximately one month later in Los Angeles, California, following a fierce gun battle with four Los Angeles police officers. On May 13, 1915, he was convicted of Officer Cromwell’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Cromwell had served as Linton’s night policeman for just six days, following many years of service as the city’s fire chief.

He remains the only Linton police officer to lose his life in the line of duty.

More than a century later, then-officer/now Chief Paul Clark dedicated countless hours researching the case to ensure Cromwell received proper recognition for his sacrifice. As a result, on Feb. 6, 2015, former Linton Mayor John Wilkes proclaimed Feb. 7, 2015, as Fred Cromwell Day in the City of Linton.