Fallen Heroes
On September 15, 1904, Patrolman Ernest Johnson was killed between two railcars at the Northwestern train yards while in search of vagrants.
According to a newspaper account, Patrolman Johnson and his partner were in the yard watching for “vags and tramps” stealing rides on trains or sleeping in freight cars. It is believed that Patrolman Johnson crept between boxcars to watch an outbound train when he was crushed.
Patrolman Johnson was 35 years old and had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for four years. He left behind a wife and daughter.