State Hunts Grinnell Killer

OGAN, BARNES, WELSH, TAYLOR, WHISENAND

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/24/2010 at 10:38:04

Montezuma Republican; Nov. 14, 1963

STATE HUNTS GRINNELL KILLER

GRINNELL--Policeman Ralph Wilbur Ogan Jr., 34, was deliberately murdered here at 5:45 a.m. Nov. 13, according to Dave Barnes, Strand Baking Company salesman who was an eye witness. Barnes told of the incident to Sheriff Bill Welsh and Police Chief Wiley Taylor.

Barnes said he was servicing the Model Lunch Room at 927 Main, when he heard glass breaking in the Preston Clothiers at Main and Fourth. As he watched, Ogan drove up in his patrol car and parked behind a yellow car. Ogan stopped a young man who was running and asked to see his driver's license, and, while he was getting it out, the occupant of the yellow car slipped up behind Ogan and shot him in the back.

Ogan called and Barnes started toward him, but shots from the gun forced him to flee into the cafe. There he called the fire department and police. While he was making is calls for help, the yellow car disappeared.

Sheriff Welsh was notified and a state wide alert was put in operation. Two airplanes were participating in the search, as well as sheriffs, state patrolmen and municipal officers.

Ralph Ogan is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Ogan, Rt. 1, Montezuma, a graduate of Montezuma high school in 1946. Mrs. Ogan is the former Lois Whisenand and they have three small children.