Age: 49
Served:  7 years
1867 to September 2, 1874

On September 2, 1874, Patrolman Bird was detailed to the Jackley’s Great Vienna Circus at Fifth and Vine Streets, the proprietor of which was James Davis.  His son, J. A. Trim Davis, a deaf-mute, had free access to the circus and had a reputation for frequent acts of brutality and viciousness.  He had married one of the performers a few days before and found that she had been unfaithful.  He went into the dressing room looking to harm his wife.  The manager of the circus, Mike Lipman, about 6:30 p.m., upon hearing of the disturbance, found Patrolmen McGarr and Bird on the street and asked them for assistance. 

Officer Bird went with Lipman and on the way found Private Policeman John A. Webb who went along to assist.  After finding Davis, both officers tried to escort him out when Davis pulled away, took a pistol from his right rear pants pocket, and fired at them.  Neither officer was armed (firearms would not be approved for another 14 years) and both turned away from the shot.  The bullet went through Patrolman Bird’s left arm and into his chest and through both lungs and the aorta at the top of his heart.  Davis then struck Patrolman Bird in the mouth with his pistol and with such force that the pistol dropped from his hand.  Patrolman Bird fell, exclaiming, “Oh God!” and Davis went to him and kicked him three or four times in the back, picked up his pistol, put it in his coat pocket, and ran out.  A groom came out of the stable and immediately went to Officer Bird and found him already dead. 

Patrolmen William A. Fox, Meyers, Elchelberger, and Brady responded and found and arrested Davis.  The officers struggled with Trim Davis all the way to the 9th Street Stationhouse.  Once there, they searched him and found in his pocket a loaded single-barreled cartridge Derringer and two or three loose cartridges.  Thereafter, he exhibited perfect composure.  His interrogation was conducted in writing by Lieutenant James V. Sargent and he completely denied his involvement.  Soon thereafter, he fell asleep, unconcerned, as though nothing had happened.

Patrolman Bird left a wife, Jane (42) and five children, Harriet Ella (20), James (18), Emma (14), Richard (12) and Laura (6).  The funeral was held on Saturday, September 5, at 2 p.m. at the Christie Chapel M. E. Church where he and his family were members.  A large number of night patrolmen, the entire night forces from Bremen and Oliver Street Districts, Superintendent Kiersted, and Mayor Johnson escorted Patrolman Bird to the church and as far as Lincoln Park after which the cortège passed through en route to Wesleyan Cemetery.  On June 8, 1892, his body was exhumed and re-interred in Spring Grove Cemetery, Section 12, Lot 96, Grave 2.  Jane joined him there on January 11, 1912.

On April 2, 1875, J. M. S. Davis, was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree, and given a Life sentence.

Nearly all the information for this narrative was provided by Joyce Meyer of the Price Hill Historical Society. If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.