Wilson Family Genealogy
Stories about Lawrence H McParlin
- Circumstances of his Death
- Officer Down Memorial Page
- Report of his Death from the Union-Sun & Journal, USA, NY, Niagara, Lockport, 21 May 1918
In or about 1918 Lawrence became a Deputy Sheriff in USA, MD, Charles County. On 21 May 1918, after only a few months on the job, he was accompanied by Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Officer John Conrad as he attempted to serve a material witness warrant on Herman Copeland in regard to embezzlement by a cook working for the construction company that was working on Indian Head Naval Weapons Station, USA, MD, Charles, Indian Head. Although the two Officers were apparently unaware of this fact, Copeland was wanted for murder in USA, SC. Copeland shot and killed both Officers. Copeland was later confronted by DC Police Lieutenant David Dunigan, who was also shot and killed. Copeland was wounded, captured and escaped custody. He was eventually captured again and, in 1925, was hanged in a Washington, DC, jail after admitting to have committed twelve murders, including four police officers.
Deputy McParlin was the first Charles County Sheriff's Officer known to have been killed in the line of duty since the founding of that service in 1658.
Copeland also made history by being the last person executed by hanging in USA, Washington, DC.
Lawrence H McParlin has a memorial page on the website of the Officer Down Foundation. This website honors the Nation's police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
From the Union-Sun & Journal, USA, NY, Niagara, Lockport, 21 May 1918:
"LOCKPORT MAN MURDERED BY NEGRO AT INDIAN HEAD, MD.
"Lawrence H. McParlin Shot to Death at Federal Proving Grounds With Two Other Officers Who Were Arresting Man Wanted as Witness in Embezzlement Case
"WASHINGTON. D. C. May 21.—
Lawrence H. McParlin, 32 years old, of Lockport, N.Y., was shot and instantly killed with two other officers at the Indian Head, Md. proving grounds today. McParlin was a deputy sheriff and was assisting in the arrest of H. Copeland, a negro, wanted as a witness in an embezzlement case. Copeland is accused of doing the shooting.
"McParlin was employed by the Austin Construction Co., a contracting firm. The Austin Construction Co. was the firm that erected buildings for the Curtis Aeroplane and Motor Corporatlon. McParlin was one of the men engaged with the company.
"A telegram was received today by Peter H McParlin that his son, Lawrence H. McParlin, aged 32 years, had been accidentally killed at Indian Head, Md., near Washington. D. C., where he was engaged in transportation work for the Austin Company of Cleveland, O. The young man had been employed by the company for the past three years in various parts of the country. He was well known in Lockport, having been engaged as an engineer for a number of years, was employed by Larkin and Sangster here and in other public work, and he was also a member of the local fire department for a time.
"He is survived by his wife, formerly Ethel Bradley of Barker, whom he married ten years ago and one daughter, Marjory, also his father and three brothers, John, Walter and Henry and two sisters, Rosemary and Mrs. Pearl Mosure of this city. A brother, John McParlin left this afternoon for the scene of the accident and to bring the body to the family home. No. 200 Walnut Street. Funeral arrangement; will be announced later."
Note from the Wilson Family Historian: This report of Lawrence's death differs slightly from other reports, including those in the Washington Post, USA, Washington DC. It is believed that the reports in the Washington Post are more accurate.