File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Judith McGowan The Richmond News Leader, Richmond, VA., Tuesday, June 30, 1925: "BULLET VICTIM IS REPORTED BETTER". Ernest Brown, colored, aged 30, of 3415 S street, who was shot twice by Police Officer Joseph McGowan, of First station, last night when he failed to heed the command to half, is improved today at St. Philip hospital. Physicians said on of the policeman's bullets had entered the negro's hip and the second had punctured his neck. Policeman McGowan, one of the few mounted officers remaining on the Richmond police force, was patrolling his beat at Twenty-eighth and Q streets last night when he came on the negro, in an automobile. His suspicions aroused by circumstances, McGowan straightened his horse out in front of the on-coming car, at the same time commanding the driver to halt. Heedless of the risk he ran, Brown is said to have applied more speed, bearing down on horse and rider. The car brushed the policeman and his mount to one side, knocking them both down, and dashed by. McGowan quickly found his feet and, drawing his gun, sent two bullets at Brown, both of which took effect. The negro brought the car to a halt, and when found had slouched forward over the wheel. He was soon transported to St. Philip hospital. Police say the car in which Brown attempted to escape had shortly before been stolen from a Richmond man. Charges of this nature have been placed against the wounded man. Officer McGowan and his horse were not seriously hurt. They were both given treatment later for minor cuts and bruises." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA, Tuesday, June 30, 1925: "OFFICER SHOOTS ALLEGED THIEF - Patrolman Joe McGowan Wounds Negro After Being Hit by Auto." "Attempting to escape from Mounted Officer Joseph McGowan when he was commanded to halt, Ernest Brown, 30, negro, or 3415 S Street, suspected of the theft of an automobile was probably fatally wounded last night at Twenty-eighth and Q Streets in a dash for liberty. Shots Take Affect. Knocked from his mount by the impact of the speeding automobile, which Brown is alleged to have been driving, McGowan picked himself up and yelled for the operator to halt. Failing to heed his signal, the negro is said to have stepped in the accelerator and sped off. A fusillade of shots rang out, two striking Brown. The automobile came to an abrupt halt a few hundred yards from the scene of the accident, the negro lying face downward over the steering wheel. Rushed to St. Philip's Hospital by Officers A. H. Anthony and E. L. Crouch, who heard the police whistle and immediately responded to the call, Brown was said to have a fair chance to live. He was shot in the neck and the hip. Officer McGowan and the horse were both injured in the fall. The policeman was removed to his home, suffering numerous injuries of the body, while the horse was treated by a local veterinarian. According to police, the automobile which Brown was driving, has been positively identified as that stolen from a Richmond man. At St. Philip's Hospital this morning, the negro was under police guard. Officers from the First Police Station were detailed to watch him. Brown was formally charged with the theft of an automobile and with resisting arrest. Officer McGowan was commended last night for his efforts in apprehending the negro. The officer is assigned to the First Police Station and was appointed to the Police Department on February 19, 1910." USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation.