Age:  41
Served:  2 years
1928 to September 16, 1930

While on routine patrol on September 16, 1930, Patrolman Commins, of 206 Crescent Avenue, found two people breaking into a building at Elm and Allen Avenues.  One of the two was standing near a parked auto, apparently acting as a lookout.  Patrolman Commins approached him first and he pulled a pistol.  Patrolman Commins grabbed the pistol.  Then, a voice came from the darkness saying, “Let him go or I’ll let you have it!” followed by several gunshots.  Patrolman Commins returned fire into the darkness and then slumped to the ground.  He emptied his revolver, but there is no evidence that any of his bullets took effect.  The burglars jumped into the auto and sped off.

Mayor Frank S. Bonham was the first Wyoming official on the scene.  Patrolman Commins gasped out the story of what had happened before a private ambulance transported him to the General Hospital in Cincinnati.  He died of a gunshot wound to the chest just below the heart and another to the groin. 

Patrolman Commins was survived by his by his wife of twenty years, Louise, and two children.  He was buried on September 19, 1930, in Vine Street Hill Cemetery.  Louise joined him 32 years later during December 1962.

Though extensively investigated by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and thousands of dollars were raised for a reward, no one was ever identified as a suspect.  Two law enforcement officials were killed in Wyoming, both of them lived on Crescent Avenue, and no suspect was identified in either killing.

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