KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY
Appointed: January 5, 1911
Died: September 29, 1919
Badge # 78
Detective Badge # 14 Promoted August, 1919.
Detective Con McCarthy first entered the field of law enforcement in 1909 as a Special Policeman for Union Stockyards. He was appointed to the Des Moines Police Department on January 5, 1911.
On September 29, 1919, Detective McCarthy was working undercover on a burglary detail. Working disguised as a milkman, Detective McCarthy caught the sought after burglar. He arrested the suspect, handcuffed him in front and walked him to 8th & University where he used a call box to call the station. McCarthy placed the suspect on the curb; and as he was placing the call, the suspect reached into his boot, pulled out a .32 caliber handgun and shot Detective McCarthy.
After an extensive investigation and search, Brownie Bowman, the suspect, was arrested on October 5, 1919, at his residence. The 35 year-old man was charged with murder and the case was waived to Grand Jury. Brownie Bowman died in the state penitentiary.
Detective McCarthy was survived by his wife, Katherine, and seven children aged 2 to 15. Later, Katherine McCarthy joined the Des Moines Police Department as a telephone operator and later a Matron. She remained with the department until her retirement in 1953. In 1970 Katherine and Con's grandson, William "Bill" McCarthy joined the force. Bill is the son of James McCarthy, one of a set of twins barely two years old when their father was killed. William "Bill" McCarthy went on to become Chief of Police retiring from the Des Moines Police Department. Bill is now Sheriff of Polk County.
Appointed: January 5, 1911
Died: September 29, 1919
Badge # 78
Detective Badge # 14 Promoted August, 1919.
Detective Con McCarthy first entered the field of law enforcement in 1909 as a Special Policeman for Union Stockyards. He was appointed to the Des Moines Police Department on January 5, 1911.
On September 29, 1919, Detective McCarthy was working undercover on a burglary detail. Working disguised as a milkman, Detective McCarthy caught the sought after burglar. He arrested the suspect, handcuffed him in front and walked him to 8th & University where he used a call box to call the station. McCarthy placed the suspect on the curb; and as he was placing the call, the suspect reached into his boot, pulled out a .32 caliber handgun and shot Detective McCarthy.
After an extensive investigation and search, Brownie Bowman, the suspect, was arrested on October 5, 1919, at his residence. The 35 year-old man was charged with murder and the case was waived to Grand Jury. Brownie Bowman died in the state penitentiary.
Detective McCarthy was survived by his wife, Katherine, and seven children aged 2 to 15. Later, Katherine McCarthy joined the Des Moines Police Department as a telephone operator and later a Matron. She remained with the department until her retirement in 1953. In 1970 Katherine and Con's grandson, William "Bill" McCarthy joined the force. Bill is the son of James McCarthy, one of a set of twins barely two years old when their father was killed. William "Bill" McCarthy went on to become Chief of Police retiring from the Des Moines Police Department. Bill is now Sheriff of Polk County.
KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY
Appointed: January 5, 1911
Died: September 29, 1919
Badge # 78
Detective Badge # 14 Promoted August, 1919.
Detective Con McCarthy first entered the field of law enforcement in 1909 as a Special Policeman for Union Stockyards. He was appointed to the Des Moines Police Department on January 5, 1911.
On September 29, 1919, Detective McCarthy was working undercover on a burglary detail. Working disguised as a milkman, Detective McCarthy caught the sought after burglar. He arrested the suspect, handcuffed him in front and walked him to 8th & University where he used a call box to call the station. McCarthy placed the suspect on the curb; and as he was placing the call, the suspect reached into his boot, pulled out a .32 caliber handgun and shot Detective McCarthy.
After an extensive investigation and search, Brownie Bowman, the suspect, was arrested on October 5, 1919, at his residence. The 35 year-old man was charged with murder and the case was waived to Grand Jury. Brownie Bowman died in the state penitentiary.
Detective McCarthy was survived by his wife, Katherine, and seven children aged 2 to 15. Later, Katherine McCarthy joined the Des Moines Police Department as a telephone operator and later a Matron. She remained with the department until her retirement in 1953. In 1970 Katherine and Con's grandson, William "Bill" McCarthy joined the force. Bill is the son of James McCarthy, one of a set of twins barely two years old when their father was killed. William "Bill" McCarthy went on to become Chief of Police retiring from the Des Moines Police Department. Bill is now Sheriff of Polk County.
Appointed: January 5, 1911
Died: September 29, 1919
Badge # 78
Detective Badge # 14 Promoted August, 1919.
Detective Con McCarthy first entered the field of law enforcement in 1909 as a Special Policeman for Union Stockyards. He was appointed to the Des Moines Police Department on January 5, 1911.
On September 29, 1919, Detective McCarthy was working undercover on a burglary detail. Working disguised as a milkman, Detective McCarthy caught the sought after burglar. He arrested the suspect, handcuffed him in front and walked him to 8th & University where he used a call box to call the station. McCarthy placed the suspect on the curb; and as he was placing the call, the suspect reached into his boot, pulled out a .32 caliber handgun and shot Detective McCarthy.
After an extensive investigation and search, Brownie Bowman, the suspect, was arrested on October 5, 1919, at his residence. The 35 year-old man was charged with murder and the case was waived to Grand Jury. Brownie Bowman died in the state penitentiary.
Detective McCarthy was survived by his wife, Katherine, and seven children aged 2 to 15. Later, Katherine McCarthy joined the Des Moines Police Department as a telephone operator and later a Matron. She remained with the department until her retirement in 1953. In 1970 Katherine and Con's grandson, William "Bill" McCarthy joined the force. Bill is the son of James McCarthy, one of a set of twins barely two years old when their father was killed. William "Bill" McCarthy went on to become Chief of Police retiring from the Des Moines Police Department. Bill is now Sheriff of Polk County.
