Age:  48
Served: 19½ years
February 18, 1908 to July 7, 1927

On July 4, 1927, John Rucker while high on drugs armed himself with a shotgun and an automatic pistol on Kenyon Avenue.  He shot two men and frightened a woman to the point of heart failure and death.  Patrolman Franken, of 1125 Olivia Lane, and Patrolman Sherman Yarion responded and tried to quiet him, but Rucker shot both officers.  Patrolman Franken died three days later on July 7, 1927, at 7:45 a.m. and was buried July 11, 1927, in Saint Joseph Old Cemetery.

Rucker was convicted and, almost 1½ years later, electrocuted on November 30, 1928.



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