by Chad Frodyma

Many of us were around when Jason Pratt was shot and killed. We know the story. Some of us were around when Jimmy Wilson, Jr. was shot and killed. If you weren’t on the force when it happened, you probably still know the story. Many of us know about the tragic death of Larry Minard, mostly from news reports about his killers wanting a new trial after all these years. These three officers paid the ultimate sacrifice for this city. But, do you know about the death of Omaha Police Officer James J. Sullivan?

I joined OPD in November of 2001. After completing my training, I went to work in the Northeast Precinct, C-Shift, where I am still today. Like you, I’ve seen some things that people shouldn’t have to see. I’ve met people who make me shake my head in disbelief, and worry for mankind. Recently, I was told by somebody (I forget who) that a police officer was shot and killed at 30^th and Parker in the 1930’s. Having worked a few shootings and homicides at that intersection myself, my interest was peaked. I went to the Officer Down Memorial Page at http://www.odmp.org/ and looked it up. The officer was James J. Sullivan, and he was shot and killed on April 4^th, 1931. I learned he was killed while on a stakeout inside a gas station, when it was robbed.

I held onto this information for a few months, and went on with my life. Then, I marched in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Omaha for the third straight year. Union members marched while carrying 23 American flags, each with a ribbon on it with the name of an Omaha Police officer who has died on duty. This year, I sought out to carry the flag honoring Sullivan. After the parade, I shared my limited information on Officer Sullivan with Union President Aaron Hanson. Aaron thought it would make a good article for The Shield, and I agreed to look into it. I decided to do some research on Officer Sullivan’s (and some other Omaha officers) death.

I braved the masses of Sienna/Francis house patrons, and went to the downtown library for some research. What I learned was some interesting details on the incident that cost Sullivan his life, as well as how much information was shared with the media of the day. I hope you find this at least somewhat interesting…

Omaha had been experiencing a rash of robberies at service stations throughout the city in 1931. Chief Pszanowski, Omaha’s Police Chief, developed a plan to position police officers in hiding at service stations, hoping to catch the robbers in the act. On Saturday, April 4^th, 1931, Patrolman James J. Sullivan was stationed at the Coryell filling station, located on the southeast corner of 30^th and Parker. Sullivan, armed with a shotgun, took his position concealed in the small restroom inside of the station, and waited. Later in the evening, two men entered the station and attempted to rob it. Shots were exchanged, and Officer Sullivan lay dead as the two robbers ran off.

Advised of the shooting over the radio, officers swarmed into the filling station and stayed there, questioning the filling station attendant, an excited John Pool, before beginning the manhunt. (The officers who were driving automobiles under the direction of the police radio system would be reprimanded for this. Police command would criticize these officers for not leaving the questioning of Pool to one or two officers, while the others surrounded the district and stopped suspicious cars.) Detectives determined the assailants fired 17 shots through the restroom door Sullivan was hiding behind. Eight of the shots hit Sullivan, killing him. Sullivan was able to fire three shotgun blasts in return.

By Monday evening, more than 100 people had been questioned by detectives. Chief Pszanowski would face criticism for having Sullivan hiding inside of the tiny restroom inside of the service station, saying he was trapped. Pszanowski responded to this criticism: "The most effective way of fighting banditry of this kind is to set traps where robbers are expected. We have been successful by this method in a number of ways" Pszanowski said. Regarding the accusation that Sullivan was trapped, Pszanowski said "Sullivan was not trapped. The door of the lavatory opened outward. He had plenty of warning. Pool told him of the approach of the two men, and when they entered the station and ordered Pool to put out the lights, he (Sullivan) knew their mission." Officer Sullivan’s father, Michael Sullivan, a former detective with the Omaha Police Department, did not agree. He was upset that his son was positioned in the restroom. Sullivan’s father told the media, "He didn’t have a chance. If he had been on the outside of the place, I am sure it would have been a different story. Being in the lavatory, he might as well have had no gun." Indeed, one today can argue the rationality of placing a single officer into a tiny restroom armed with a long shotgun. However, back in the 1930’s, it appears to have been common practice. Pszanowski was quoted in the World-Herald as saying he had placed up to 40 officers in similar concealed positions throughout the city at one time.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 8^th, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sullivan’s residence at 2744 Newport Ave. Common practice of the day called for a small ceremony at the residence, followed by a mass at the parish church. Hundreds of people overflowed the house and lawn. After John A. Gentleman (from the mortuary) had said a brief prayer at the home, and fellow officers had filed past the casket, the funeral procession was formed. It was led by Mayor Metcalfe and the city commissioners (precursors to City Councilmen) as honorary pallbearers. Behind the casket were 160 members of the Omaha Fire Department and 140 Omaha police officers in full uniform. Eight police officers from Sioux City, Iowa joined them. The procession went from the Sullivan’s house to Holy Angels Church (which I am told was somewhere in the area north of Ames Avenue, and west of 30^th Street). The parish priest, Reverend P.A. Flanagan led the mass. He was assisted by Reverend Edward J. Flanagan, the famous Father Flanagan of Boys Town fame.

Father P.A. Flanagan spoke of his grief as almost unbearable, because he had officiated over funeral services of Sullivan’s two sisters within the past two weeks. Father P.A. Flanagan also responded to the critics of the police department, whom he said were "always disposed to find fault and condemn." Flanagan went on to say "It is always the same people who have no conception of the duties of the police. They do not understand the courage it takes to face unknown dangers. The name of Officer Sullivan is added to the list of other brave policemen who dies as martyrs to their duty to Omaha. The police department and the city should feel proud of these men."

The Police Glee Club (why don’t we still have one of those?) sang two hymns. Officers Joe Lang and Alfred Thompson sang the "Salutaris." After church services, the body was taken to Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 4912 Leavenworth, for burial. Officer Sullivan’s widow was paid $2,000 from the Police and Fireman’s Insurance Association, $1,000 from a police group insurance policy, $500 from the Police Relief Fund, $75 for funeral expenses from the Police Fund board, and $100 from L. L. Coryell, the owner of the service station in which Sullivan was killed.

On Thursday, April 9^th, it was announced that two people had been arrested for the murder of Officer Sullivan, and had already confessed their guilt. A third person was still being sought, and was believed to have fled to California.

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