Age:  45
Served: 16½ years
February 10, 1908 to July 9, 1924

On June 29, 1924, Detective Tekulve, of 737 Delta Avenue, and another officer attempted to arrest Henry Brown (45) who was terrorizing citizens with a revolver.  Brown fired on the officers, striking Detective Tekulve in the jaw and neck.  Detective Tekulve was rushed to the General Hospital.  Brown was arrested.

Ten days later, on July 9, 1924, at 4:15 p.m., Detective Tekulve died from hemorrhage and sepsis resulting from the wounds.  Brown was charged with 1st Degree Murder.

Detective Tekulve’s first wife, Magdaline, died of cancer during 1922.  He was survived by his second wife, Alice, and three children; William T. Tekulve (25), Stella E. Bertelsman (21), and Ralph R. Tekulve (18).  He was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, on July 12, 1924, at 11 a.m.

Brown was convicted of 1st Degree Murder.  Ohio law had been revised to remove from the discretion of the judge and jury the option of substituting a prison sentence for a death penalty for the killing of a police officer.  Brown was electrocuted on February 20, 1925.

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