Elmer J. Lennon 1883-1939

LENNON, FRENCH, NELSON, MCMANUS, HOVEY

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall
Date: 10/18/2008 at 22:43:50

Elmer J. Lennon Buried Sunday; Was Victim of Gun Battle

Postville - More than 1,100 persons attended the funeral here Sunday afternoon for Elmer J. Lennon, 55, Postville town marshal, who died last Thursday morning from gunshot wounds which he received when attempting to arrest Carroll Berres. The Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig returned especially from a vacation visit to Illinois to officiate at the services. Burial was in the Postville cemetery. Pallbearers were members of the Postville town council. The Iowa Safety Patrol furnished the escort and a guard of honor was furnished by the Dubuque police department in the persons of Police Chief Joseph H. Strub, Capt. John Derabery, Sergt. A.M. Aliman and Officer John Osterhoff.

Mr. Lennon was born in Freeport, Winneshiek county, on Nov. 25, 1883, and with his parents moved to Frankville township at an early age. He was married Sept. 14, 1904, to Miss Cora French at Waukon and for many years farmed in Frankville township, moving to Postville 14 years ago. On Dec. 21, 1930, he was appointed town marshal by W.J. Clark, then mayor, and held that position to the time of his death. He was a member of the Iowa Association of Police Chiefs.

Surviving are his widow, two sons, James of Postville and Howard of Greenville, Ill.; daughter, Mrs. Edward Nelson of Postville; brother, Herchel of Decorah; two sisters, Mrs. Bessie McManus of Waterloo, and Mrs. Nelson Hovey of Decorah, and four grandchildren.

~Mason City Globe-Gazette
November 13, 1939

The photo (below) was from a Postville newspaper, not from the obituary in the Globe-Gazette. Read more about the shooting of Marshall Lennon on the Allamakee co. IAGenWeb site.

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Posted By: Henry Brainard
Date: 11/19/2006

Found this and thought someone would like to have this info. It is listed at the Officer Down Memorial Website (see link below). He is listed as the only officer to die in the line of duty for the Postville Police Dept.

Postville Police Department
Iowa
End of Watch: Thursday, November 9, 1939

Biographical Info
Age: 55
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, November 9, 1939
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Night Marshal Elmer J. Lennon was fatally wounded as he confronted a male that he suspected of stealing gas from the H.J. Shuette Filling Station in the early morning hours.

When Marshal Lennon approached the male's vehicle, the male ordered him to back away. As Night Marshal Lennon attempted to take cover near his vehicle, the male drew a gun and opened fire. Marshal Lennon was struck in the neck and hip, but was able to return fire and strike the male once in the leg.

The wounded shooter fled in his vehicle, and Marshal Lennon was able to flag down assistance. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The killer was later captured and determined to be a convict who had escaped from a Wisconsin prison. At the time of his arrest, the killer was armed with four loaded handguns and was driving a stolen vehicle that contained an assortment of shotguns and high powered rifles. He confessed to the murder of Night Mashal Lennon and was convicted of the crime. He was released after serving a partial sentence.

Night Marshal Lennon had served as the Postville Night Marshal for eight years. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.
 

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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