Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND002 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 04144
Title: Charles R. Sneesby
Date:
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 4/14/1871
Summary: Charles R. Sneesby Devils Lake - June 1924 Charles R. Sneesby, 54, night policeman in Devils Lake, was shot and instantly killed early the morning of June 26, 1924 by one of four bandits whom Sneesby caught attempting to rob the post office. The officer was shot before he had a chance to draw his gun. Despite posses scouring the surrounding area, no traces of the bandits were found. Sneesby was walking his beat, when he met his death. It is thought that he had an inkling that something was wrong in the post office basement and, walking around an alley on the south side of the building, he turned his flashlight on the basement door. The presumption is that the watcher for the bandits was stationed at the bottom of an outside stairway leading into the basement, and when Sneesby flashed his light onto the door, the bandit fired point blank into the watchman's head. The bandits then fled. Posses were formed to search the area but police were lost as to know what direction the bandits took when they left town. On September 23, 1933 George Nolan was charged with first degree murder of the patrolman and plead not guilty when arraigned in federal court. The judge ordered a term of federal court in Bismarck. Newpapers didn't report the outcome of Nolan's trial. Charles R. Sneesby left behind his father, three brothers, a wife, two daughters and a son. He was appointed night policeman one year prior and fulfilled the duties of his office creditably and thoroughly. (An article describing the event is available on the Charles Sneesby PDF)
Red ID: FND_I_77338 Image ID: 509159 Image Notes: 10950 00002 04144

Collection: FND002 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program
Date:

Summary: The North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program honors fallen officers with highlights of their lives and careers.

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