Officer John Purcell
Metropolitan Police Department
District of Columbia
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 17, 1923

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, October 17, 1923
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: One shot and killed

Officer Purcell and his partner were in plainclothes and on patrol near 3rd Street and Virginia Avenue, SW, when they happened upon a group of burglars in an alley. The suspects opened fire, wounding both officers. They were both able to return fire and fatally wound a suspect. Officer Purcell succumbed to his wounds later.
Officer Purcell had been with the agency for 20 years and was survived by his wife and two children.