Age:  30
Served:  3 months
May 14 to July 16, 1890

Substitute Patrolman Roese’s revolver accidentally discharged at 214 Bordon Street as he was stepping off a streetcar on May 21, 1890, one week after he took the oath of office.  He died 2¾ months later on July 16, 1890, from the injuries he sustained. 

He was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery on July 18, 1890, at 3:30 p.m.

Note:  Policemen were not permitted to carry revolvers in most agencies until the late 1880s.  Naturally, a number of these were dropped and physics dictated that they fall toward the heavier end.  Sometimes, they dropped directly on the hammer with the barrel pointed up.  This circumstance caused four officers’ deaths.  In the first decade of the 20th Century, the hammer block safety was invented and no more officers died from accidentally dropped revolvers.

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