Last Known Activity:
August 13, 1899: The fatal shootings of Officers Clifford and Griffith. In the early morning hours, Officer Clifford had attempted to arrest an unruly soldier from Fort Logan at 20th and Blake St. Without warning, the soldier whipped out a revolver and fired three times in succession, all striking Clifford near the heart. The murderer then started to flee when Officer Griffith, who happended to be nearby, borrowed a bicycle and started in pursuit. The killer turned down 16th St. and headed toward the viaduct. Before reaching it, he encountered another officer who emptied his revolver at the fugitive, but without effect. The soldier continued his flight with Griffith close on his heels. As the latter neared the end of the viaduct, the soldier fired two more shots, one of which mortally wounded the officer. The killer then fled to 15th St. At 15th and Wynkoop he ran past another officer who ordered him to halt. He paid no attention, so the officer, suspecting something was wrong, fired twice, neither shot hitting the target. The fugitive then disappeared. Funeral Services for the two officers were on August 16th. It took two hours just for the mourning citizens to pass by the coffins as they lay in state in City Council chambers. The funeral procession was imposing, 'Chief of Police Farley, with Captains Arthur Martin and Phillips led the police department...the men marching by platoons. Three Park policemen in gray uniforms brought up the rear, immediately preceding the bodies, which were carried in two open patrol wagons, flowers in great profusion hiding the caskets from view. The horses stepped with a measured tread that seemed to tell of their sorrow.'
The shooting brought to light four dangerous faults in the policies and practices of the DPD. First, officers had previously selected and purchased their own weapons, and not all were suitable for police work. Of the pistols carried by the two murdered officers, Chief Farley said: 'It would take a good marksman to hit a man at night with one of these things at a greater distance than ten feet.' Farley recommended the adoption of standard revolvers of a uniform pattern and a heavy caliber (unknown if this indeed occurred.) Secondly, it was apparent to Farley that the department had failed to keep officers properly trained in the use of firearms, a fact evident in failure to shoot the murderer. (By February "03, the DPD still lacked a target range, and the board was looking at an area on Cherry Creek. Indeed, compulsory marksmanship monthly shooting wasn't required until 1927! And all officers were then required to adopt the identical pistol-a Smith & Wesson .38 special, 5" Bbl, with a square butt. You were additionally required to carry a minimum of 15 rounds on your person.) A third major concern was the large police badge worn on the left breast. Because Clifford and Griffith had been shot near the heart, there was speculation as to whether or not the murderer had made a target of the shining badges. The police board considered having the officers wear the badge under the coat during night hours, but still on the left breast, where the badge would help protect them. The helmet and the uniform would continue to provide the necessary identification. The fourth issue was that the officers carried their revolvers in a hip pocket or in a shoulder holster under the coat. Both methods were hazardous. Since the department normally expected an officer to keep his coat buttoned, the officer had to unbutton a row of about eight buttons to draw his gun from a shoulder holster. If the officer carried the revolver in his pocket, the skirts of the long coat made it almost impossible for him to make a fast draw. (Officer's also carried a 16 oz. Club on their belt.) However, until at least 1905, officers still required to carry their weapons under their tunics.
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