On This Date in Minnesota History: September 8

September 8, 1921 – Hibbing’s Chief of Police Daniel Hayes, Detective Eugene Cassidy and Traffic Officer William Kohrt were shot to death in a gun battle on this date while attempting to arrest John Webb of Nelson, Minn. Webb’s 18-year-old son Leonard had alleged that his 13-year-old sister had been sexually assaulted by their father.

The three officers went to Webb’s home. As Chief Hayes opened the door, he was shot through the heart. Cassidy was shot in the shoulder, dying in a few minutes. Kohrt, who was also shot in the shoulder, was taken to the hospital where he died a few minutes later.

Webb fled toward Wilpen and a mob followed. In the meantime, 1,000 men have joined in the search, but have been unable to find him. They are instructed to shoot to kill.

Webb is a widower with six children. He is said to have been acting strangely of late and last night terrorized his family. The children spent the night in the woods.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Three Hibbing Police Killed in Gun Battle. Murderer Escapes and Had Not Been Found Early Today; Posse on Trail. Attempt to Arrest Nelson man is Fatal. Murderer Previously Accused By Son of Offense Against 13-Year-Old Daughter.”;  September 09, 1921; p. 1.

Chief Daniel Hayes

http://www.odmp.org/officer/6259-chief-of-police-daniel-hayes

Detective Eugene Cassidy

http://www.odmp.org/officer/2906-detective-eugene-cassidy

Officer William Kohrt

http://www.odmp.org/officer/7678-patrolman-william-kohrt