Detective Sergeant James E. Armstrong was a member of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC.

Date of Death: December 20, 1919
Rank: Detective Sergeant
Age: 40
Years of Service: 16, EOD: September 23, 1903
Marital Status: Married
Children: Three
Location of Death: Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC.

Circumstance: On December 14, 1919, Detective Sergeant Armstrong tracked a suspect, John McHenry, to Union Station after McHenry had robbed and fatally shot Mr. Wallace W. Mulcare (F.A.G. memorial # 107661132) at Mulcare's Automobile Accessory Shop located at 1224 14th Street, NW, that same day. When Detective Armstrong attempted to stop McHenry inside Union Station, McHenry drew a revolver and shot the detective three time at close range. As the detective fell, he was able to hold onto McHenry long enough for back up to arrive and render the suspect unconscious with a blackjack. Detective Armstrong was taken to Providence Hospital where he died.

Detective Armstrong was survived by his wife, Edith, of the home at 533 11th Street SE, sons James E., Albert H. and daughter, Margaret L.

James E. Armstrong, Jr. would later become a police officer. In 1940 he was living with his wife, Marion E., and Mother in Law, Mabel R. Bradburn, in the Trinity Apartment 3223 14th St. NW.

John McHenry, 23 years old, was charged with First Degree Murder in the death of Detective Armstrong. He was represented by S. McComas Hawken, who pled Mr. McHenry not guilty by reason of insanity. The government was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Archer. Mr. McHenry was found guilty and hanged at DC Jail on March 17, 1922.

The 1880 Census shows:

Household Gender Age Birthplace
Self Henry Armstrong M 26 Pennsylvania, United States
Wife Sarah E. Armstrong F 20 Maryland, United States
Son James E. Armstrong M 0 Maryland, United States
In 1880 the family was resideing in Spalding, Prince Georges County Maryland. Henry Armstrong was employed as a Constable. The able assistance of Ms. Jackie Armstrong Simons is appreciated for this memorial.

Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MNQT-3VY : accessed 06 May 2013), Henry Armstrong, 1880.

The 1910 Census shows:

SELF James E Armstrong M 31y Maryland
WIFE Edith M Armstrong F 29y District of Columbia
DAU Margret L Armstrong F 5y District of Columbia
SON James E Armstrong M 4y District of Columbia
SON Albert H Armstrong M 2y District of Columbia

The 1920 Census shows:

James Armstrong
United States Census, 1920
Name James Armstrong
Event Type Census
Event Date 1920
Event Place Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Gender Male
Age 14
Marital Status Single
Race White
Race (Original) White
Can Read Yes
Can Write Yes
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Son
Birth Year (Estimated) 1906
Birthplace District of Columbia
Father's Birthplace Maryland
Mother's Birthplace District of Columbia
Sheet Letter A
Sheet Number 10

Edith Armstrong Head F 38 District of Columbia
Margaret Armstrong Daughter F 16 District of Columbia
James Armstrong Son M 14 District of Columbia
Albert Armstrong Son M 11 District of Columbia
Nettie Hutchings Sister F 34 District of Columbia
Virginia Hutchings Niece F 6 District of Columbia
Ida Hutchings Niece F 3 District of Columbia

District ED 103
Sheet Number and Letter 10A
Household ID 203
Line Number 46
Affiliate Name The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number T625
Affiliate Film Number 207
GS Film Number 1820207
Digital Folder Number 004964389
Image Number 00752
Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNLL-MRG : 14 December 2015), James Armstrong in household of Edith Armstrong, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing sheet 10A, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,820,207.

The 1930 Census shows:

James E Armstrong
United States Census, 1930
Name James E Armstrong
Event Type Census
Event Date 1930
Event Place Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Gender Male
Age 24
Marital Status Single
Race White
Race (Original) White
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Son
Birth Year (Estimated) 1906
Birthplace District Of Columbia
Father's Birthplace District Of Columbia
Mother's Birthplace District Of Columbia
Sheet Letter A
Sheet Number 1

District ED 374
Sheet Number and Letter 1A
Household ID 5
Line Number 29
Affiliate Name The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number T626
Affiliate Film Number 304
GS Film Number 2340039
Digital Folder Number 004950216
Image Number 00126
Edith Armstrong Head F 48 District of Columbia
James E Armstrong Son M 24 District Of Columbia
Albert H Armstrong Son M 22 District Of Columbia
Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM24-F9D : 8 December 2015), James E Armstrong in entry for Edith Armstrong, 1930.

In 1930, Edith and her sons, James E. Jr. and Albert lived at 5304 Illinois Avenue NW. There home was valued at $7000.00.