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Night Marshal Neal D. Fowler
July 20, 1889-December 6, 1938 |
Night Marshal
Neal D. Fowler who was 49 years old was killed instantly about 3
AM on December 6, 1938. The details of his death was the result
of a running gun battle between Officer Fowler and 19-year-old
Rex Bush of Mentone, IN.
Bush had robbed the Freeman Billings gas station and garage on
McPherson Highway in Clyde, taking 5 gallons of gasoline for the
stolen vehicle he was driving and 73 cents from the attendant 18
year old James Billings, who he told to stay away from the phone
for ten minutes as he left.
After Billings called Clyde and Fremont Police. Officer Fowler
responded to the garage and was interviewing Billings when Bush,
who had lost his way and stole two new license plates, drove by
the station and Fowler gave chase. The Bush vehicle and Fowlers
patrol vehicle were traveling side-by-side east bound on U.S.
Route 20 (McPherson Highway) as shots were fired between the
vehicles.
Witness Charles Ross of Green Springs told officers Fowler’s
police cruiser slid off the side of the road and he discovered
the officer had been shot in the face. Sandusky County Coroner
D. W. Philo later advised Fowler had been shot in the face with
a 16-gage shotgun killing him instantly.
Rex Bush continued eastbound and was stopped by a 39 year old
Bellevue Police Officer Harry Andrews (pictured below), whom
Bush (below right) also attempted to shoot but his weapon
malfunctioned. Later the Bellevue Police found out Bush had shot
Officer Fowler. |
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Officer Fowler’s life and death are remembered each year during
the National Peace Officer’s Memorial Week in May, and his name
is etched on the Police Memorial in Washington, D.C. that was
dedicated in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush. Officer Fowler
is the first and only Clyde Police Officer to be killed in the
line of duty. In 1988, the 50th anniversary of his un-timely
death, Chief Daniel E. Weaver dedicated a plaque to Officer
Fowler and his family that stands surrounded by brick in the
yard of the Clyde Municipal Building.
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