Badge:  394
Age:  45
Served:  20 years
January 20, 1897 to April 16, 1917

Patrolman Boers, of 1746 Pulte Street, was one of the bravest men to don a uniform in the region’s law enforcement history.  He was also one of the biggest and strongest, having been before his law enforcement career a member of the Boers Brothers team of acrobats.  During most of his career, he served in Districts Four and Nine.  On July 6, 1900, he stepped in front of a runaway mule at 8th and Evans Streets, saving three children, for which he earned a citation of valor from the Mayor of Cincinnati.  In another incident he saw a horse racing up Central Avenue dragging a man in a buggy, when at Sixth Street and while off duty, he seized the horse’s bridle and was thrown to the ground, shredding his clothes, knocking him unconscious, and sending him to General Hospital with severe bruising and internal injuries, but protecting pedestrians.  Several years later, at State Avenue and Gest Street, Patrolman Boers jumped in front of a street car rescuing a girl, for which he was given a gold badge. 

But a few years later, his bravery cost him his life.  On the night of April 16, 1917, Mrs. Margaret Jones, also known as Hi-Ball Meg, appealed to Police Sergeant Lemminck for protection from her husband, a thirty year teamster, Frank C. Jones.  Patrolman Boers volunteered to go because he was Jones’s fellow Moose lodge member.  Mrs. Jones met Patrolmen Boers and George W. Kaderli at Fifth Street and Baymiller Avenue.  Together, they responded to the Jones’s home at 834 West Fourth Street.  Patrolman Boers, said, “I’ll go in and see if I can quiet Frank.”  Jones was standing at the kitchen doorway and as Patrolman Boers approached, raised a revolver and shot him.  One round struck Patrolman Boers in the abdomen and, while pushing Mrs. Jones to safety, he yelled, “Look out, Margaret.  He’s after you!  He got me, but don’t let him shoot you.”  Patrolman Kaderli pursued Jones, firing at him, and Jones leaped from a second-floor window to Webb Alley and, in so doing, broke his ankle.  Patrolman Kaderli caught and subdued him.  Jones had two revolvers on his him at the time of his arrest.  He was later quoted as saying, “I don’t know why I shot Bill.  We were fellow lodge members and he was always my friend.” 

Both Patrolman Boers and Jones were transported to General Hospital.  When told that he would not survive a wound to the abdomen, Patrolman Boers quietly prepared for the end with his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters Zola (18) and Evelyn (15).  His son William (17) was with friends and could not be found in time.  He told his wife, “I want William to have my medal for bravery.”  Then he told her, “Ma, I tried it once too often.  This time they got me.”  Before he died, he gave a statement that he had been shot by Frank Jones.  He died at 10:20 p.m. 

Funeral services were held on April 19, 1917, at his late residence and presided over by Reverend Henry J. Sonneborn.   Pallbearers were Patrolmen Elmer Lotshaw, Frank Mueller, Frank Kruse, and George W. Kaderli.  He was buried in the German Protestant Cemetery, Walnut Hills with military honors.  Company E and the color guard served as the escort of honor along with Smittie’s Band.  Police personnel were directed to wear the mourning badge for four days, April 16 through 19. 

Jones was charged with Murder, convicted, and sentenced to twenty years in the penitentiary.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.