Leroy Geach
RENO EVENING GAZETTE
November 8, 1947
TWO POLICE KILLED IN GUN BATTLE
Capt. Leroy Geach Allen Glass Die in Blaze of Gunfire
Point-blank gunfire in a Reno hotel, room early this morning killed two veteran city police officers and their asserted murderer was in Washoe general hospital in “fair” condition after being wounded by a third policeman.
Dead are Capt. Leroy Joseph Geach and Sgt. Allen A. Glass. The wounded man, identified as David Blackwell 18, of Seattle, Wash., is under treatment for a bullet wound in his chest inflicted by Gene Cowan, detective sergeant.
Blackwell’s alleged accomplices in the shooting and two armed robberies here Friday afternoon and evening were being held today in tow local jails.
Chief of Police Clayton Phillips sad that Blackwell who had vowed “he would never be taken alive,” had signed a confession that he killed the two policemen.
The murders of Capt. Geach and Sgt. Glass resulted during an investigation by them, along with Sgts. Cowan and Daryl Read, of the Friendship train on behalf of Charlie’s cocktail lounge at 323 South Virginia St, and the U.S. Highway 40 tavern at 640 East Fourth St. in which loot estimated at $3500 was taken.
The four police officers traced the suspects to the Carlton hotel at 218 Sierra St. and entered their second floor room to question them.
Thomassen is said to have unlocked the door to the room to admit the officers and stood behind it as the entered. Sgts. Cowan and Read jammed the door back against Thomassen and after a brief struggle disarmed him of a .38 caliber pistol.
Capt. Geach and Sgt. Glass proceeded to where Blackwell was lying in bed in an adjoining room. As Capt. Geach threw the bed clothing back from Blackwell he was met with numerous blasts from the robbery suspect’s .38 caliber super special automatic. He fell to the floor mortally wounded, and Sgt. Glass, standing behind him was also hit several times and was killed outright.
Capt. Geach succumbed in an ambulance while enroute to a hospital a short time later.
Sgt. Cowan opened fire as Blackwell shot and as one bullet struck the youth he dropped his gun and surrendered.
UNABLE TO FIRE
Neither Capt. Geach nor Sgt. Glass had drawn their weapons on approaching Blackwell’s bed and had no opportunity to release their guns from their holsters before the fusillade struck them.
LONG-TIME RESIDENT
Capt. Geach 56-year-old native of Butte, Mont. had lived in this state for many years… While living in Goldfield he… was elected to the legislature from Esmeralda County, serving in the regular session of 1927 and the special session of 1928… He joined the Reno Police Department in July 1935, served as a patrolman for several years, became a detective sergeant on Nov. 1, 1943, and was promoted to night police captain when that post was created on April 1 of this year. He is survived by his widow and two sons. Sgt. Class was born in New York City 36 years ago…
Plaque Location & Image
Center Wall Column 8 Row H View The Plaque