Forrest V. Bennett (1897-1944)

BENNETT, RATCLIFF

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 3/23/2020 at 09:03:50

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier September 2, 1944
F.V. Bennett, Chief Of Detectives, Dies
Photo posted with obit
Forrest V. Bennett, 47, chief of city detectives bureau of the Ottumwa police department, died suddenly of a heart attack at 8 p.m. Friday at his home 426 West Sixth street. While he had not been ill, Detective and Mrs. Bennett had just moved into the residence the previous day and it is believed he had overtaxed his heart he was reading in the living room after dinner when he fell to the floor. A Doctor attended him, but he died about a half hour later. The inhalator from the fire department was used, but to no avail the son of Alpha A. and Mary Belle Bennett, he was born January 13, 1897 at Fairfield. He moved to Ottumwa 29 years ago. After working here as an automobile mechanic. Bennett joined the police department 20 years ago and became motorcycle patrolman. He later was moved into the identification department, serving as photographer and fingerprint expert. Thereafter he was appointed assistant chief and early this year was named head of the detective bureau. Previous to World war I, Bennett served with the armed forces along the Mexican border. On July 14, 1917, he enlisted in the national guard in Ottumwa and was with an ammunition company, later receiving an honorable discharge at Des Moines. He was a member of the Iowa State Policemen’s association, the Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police, the First Christian church at Fairfield and O.B. Nelson post, American Legion. Survivors included his wife Jennie Bennett, a daughter, Mary Alice; a stepson, Charles Ratcliff serving with the Navy in New Guinea; and two brothers, Fred S. Bennett, Ottumwa and David G. Bennett, Gary, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Johnson funeral chapel.