Patrolman Harold Roth
Age:  23
Served:  67 days
February 28, 1928 to May 5, 1928

Patrolman Ebert Crout
Age:  32
Served:  2½ years
December 1926 to May 6, 1928

Patrolmen Roth and Crout responded on May 5, 1928, at about 2 p.m., to a call at a gravel pit near the American Rolling Mill Company (now AK Steel) on the outskirts of the city.  They found Charles McCuller and his son, George, bottling bootleg whisky.  A third man was present, though it is not known whether the officers knew it.  As the officers attempted to take the two into custody, George (25) grabbed Patrolman Crout’s sidearm and shot both officers.  The three bootleggers ran off with both officers’ sidearms.  The officers were transported to Middletown Hospital. 

All three men were captured a short time later a couple of miles away in Amanda.  They were taken to the Middletown Jail, but George McCuller was soon removed from there to the Hamilton jail when an angry mob surrounded the Middletown jail intent upon lynching him.

Patrolman Roth died at 9:30 that night of a bullet wound to the brain.  Patrolman Crout passed away at 1:45 a.m. the next morning, on May 6, 1928, of a bullet wound to the lung. 

Later on May 6, about 1 p.m., as detectives were driving George McCuller back to Middletown, McCuller attempted to escape by throwing himself from the vehicle.  He took off running, ignored warnings to halt, and Detective Jess Dennis shot at him, striking him three times.  McCuller was transported to Middletown Hospital for treatment.

The next day, May 7, about 1:30 p.m., while at the hospital and under a police guard, McCuller tried to take Patrolman William Rutledge’s sidearm.  During the scuffle, Patrolman Rutledge shot McCuller again.  This time, he died – about 8 o'clock that night.

Patrolman Roth was survived by his wife, Serilda, two children, two siblings, Maude and Robert, and both parents, Ivan and Grace.   On May 8, 1928, he was buried at Woodside Cemetery in Middletown.

Patrolman Crout was survived by his wife, Myrtle, and parents Clem and Martha.  On May 8, 1928, he was buried in Elk Creek Cemetery in Middletown.

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