07/08/2021
Transcript of a Courier Gazette newspaper article
Faithful Patrolman Shot On Duty
2/12/1938 - Rockland, Maine
John D. Chapman Victim of Assassin's Bullet,
Fired In Spirit of Revenge Harry B. Hall
of State Street Held on a Murder Charge
Arraigned before Judge Zelma M. Dwinal at the Courthouse
this forenoon, Harry B. Hall pleaded "not guilty" and was held for
the May term of Knox County Superior Court. Hall was represented
by Harry E. Wilbur, and the State was represented by Jerome
C. Burrows. Examination was waived. The hearing lasted two minutes.
John Donald Chapman, night patrolman on the Southend beat, and regarded as one of the most capable police officers in the State, was shot dead at the corner of Main and Park streets at 6.30 last
night. Death resulted almost instantly from a bullet wound in the right eye.
Harry B. Hall, a well known resident of 38 State street was taken into custody within a few moments after the shooting, and at 1 o'clock this morning the officials said they were in possession of his signed statement admitting the crime. He will be arraigned on a murder charge this forenoon. Revenge appears to have been the motive of the tragedy, which has shocked Rockland to its foundations. Hall was arrested by Officer Chapman at 4 o'clock yesterday morning on a charge of drunkenness, after having promised the patrolman that he would quit the street and go to his home. The confession which the authorities say he made tells definitely of his having gone to his home about 3 p. m. after his revolver, with one purpose in view-to shoot Chapman or be shot.
Patrolman Chapman went onto his beat at the usual hour last night in excellent spirits.His last act before entering upon his official duties was to listen to a newly purchased radio, and he was looking forward with eager anticipation to buying a new automobile in the morning.
The stillness of the early evening was broken by a single revolver shot and pedestrians bound
for the motion picture theatres were horrified to see Chapman fall face forward upon the pavement from his position on the southern corner of Park and Main streets.
Among the early arrivals on the scene was Charles H. McIntosh, who had formerly served with Chapman on the police force. Although the officer was seemingly dead as he fell, MeIntosh turned the body from its face down position, to see if anything could be done. In this position the body was photographed, and a few moments later removed to the Russell undertaking parlors, where an extended autopsy was made in the small hours of the night.
Meantime there had swung into action one of the most powerful forces of law and order that has
ever assembled under one roof in Rockland-police, sheriffs, State police and officers of the Inshore
Coast Patrol.
The investigation was conducted by Sheriff C. Earle Ludwick at the Court House, that official's first act being to summon into the case Lieut. Leon P. Shepard, fingerprint and ballistic expert; and Dr. Archie Morrell, pathologist, of Augusta, who was to assist the county medical examiner, Dr. H. Weisman.
Shepard and Morrell were on the scene in surprisingly short order, and in the former's custody was placed the 32 calibre revolver taken from Hall's person, and said by the officers to have been the
Weapon with which the shooting was done. This weapon had been jealously guarded after it performed its fatal errand, nobody being permitted to touch it. A report will shortly be forthcoming from the laboratory in Augusta.
The assemblage of witnesses, whose testimony was taken down by two stenographers, went on
apace. Sheriff Ludwick was able to report at midnight that four eye witnesses had been examined (with others in prospect) but declined to have their names made known at that time. Mike Armata, clothing store proprietor, was quoted as saying that he saw Hall cross the street, drawing a revolver from his
pocket as he did so. To him it seemed as if Chapman undertook to draw his gun after the shot had
been fired.
Deputy Marshal Walter J. Fernald was off duty last night because of sickness in the family and police headquarters, upon the departure of City Marshal Arthur D. Fish for the scene of the tragedy, was left in charge of Patrolman Charles H. Emery, who suddenly found himself the center of some distracting duties.
Hall's arrest was accomplished by Special Officers Myron Drinkwater, Forrest K. Hatch and Robert E. Sadler, who took the prisoner to the Courthouse. Hall's signed confession, typed by Miss Pearl Borgerson, was in the hands of Sheriff Ludwick and County Attorney Jerome C. Burrows at 10 minutes of 1 this morning, and an outline of it was given to The Courier-Gazette reporter.
According to this statement Hall said that he went to his home on State street about 3 o'clock and searched through a bureau and two trunks, hunting for his revolver. This he described in detail as a nickel plated pearl-handled, 32 calibre weapon. "I had but one thing in mind," Hall is alleged to have said, "and that was to shoot Chapman or be shot."
He walked up to Chapman on the street last night, and said to him, according to the confession: "How good are you on the draw?" Speaking thus he pulled the trigger of the revolver, but the weapon merely clicked as the chamber was not loaded, and he fired again, this time with the fatal results, and he started walking up Park street.
Hall is also said to have admitted the shooting in the presence of the special officers who arrested him, and alleged to have said that the deed was done in revenge because Chapman had arrested him.
Hall was arraigned before Judge Zelma M. Dwinal on the intoxication charge and was fined $5 and costs $7.70. It is said that immediately after his release he borrowed $2 from a friend, went to an authorized liquor shop and bought a pint of whiskey. Hall a former automobile salesman, is about 60 years of age and married. His wife is employed in New York where she is understood to have been at the time of the tragedy.
Officer Chapman was born in Union March 21, 1898, son of Charles and Mary (Clayter) Chapman. The family moved to Rockland when he was two years old, and he attended the local schools. His first regular employment was as engineer at one of the quarries of the Rockland & Rockport Lime Corp.
After two years of service there he entered the employ of the Maine Central Railroad as fireman. This
was in 1917. He was appointed patrolman four years ago and had two more years to serve on his reappointment. He retained his rating with the railroad, and only recently asked for a three months' leave of absence in order to resume his duties as fireman on freight.
Mr. Chapman was member of Aurora Lodge, F.A.M., King Solomon's Temple Chapter, R. A. M., King Hiram's Council, R.S.M., Claremont Commandery, K. T. and a past patron of Golden Rod Chapter, O.E.S.
He is survived by his mother, and one brother Alfred P. Chapman, formerly of the Maine State Prison staff.
Covering one of the hardest police beats in the city Officer Chapman was a most conscientious
worker in behalf of the people whom he served, and though considered strict by one element, had
the respect of everybody. No better testimonial to his ability could be given than that furnished last night by Customs Inspector Claude U. Bishop, who said: "Chapman was a big city cop in a small town."
Off duty, Patrolman Chapman's pleasing personality made friends for him everywhere, and the feeling throughout Rockland is that the citizens have met with a personal as well as a public loss. The autopsy was performed at the Russell funeral parlors last night, revealing that the cause of death was due to a bullet wound beginning through the right eye, causing a destruction of brain tissue extending from the frontal lobe of the brain backwards, tearing considerable nerves. The bullet continued posteriorly, damaging parts of the temporal and occipital lobes of the brains. The bullet came to rest in the tentorium of the brain. The findings - murder by 32 calibre bullet.
Funeral services will be held with Masonic rites Saturday at 2 o'clock from the Universalist Church. The Commandery will meet at the Asylum at 1 o'clock and serve as es**rt. Rev. H. R. Winchenbaugh will preach the funeral sermon.
Sheriff Ludwick acknowledges with gratitude the assistance he received last night from other officials, naming Chief of Police Arthur D. Fish, Patrolmen Carl Christofferson, Fred E. Achorn, Forrest Hatch, Myron Drinkwater and Robert E. Sadler, Deputy Sheriff Ernest Gray, Customs Inspector Claude U. Bishop, Lieut. Leon P. Shepard, Lieut. John E. Marks and several of the State Police.
Mayor E. R. Veazie, who spent most of the night with the investigators said this morning: "The tragic death of Officer Chapman is a shock to the entire city, not only that he died in line of duty, but because all who knew him appreciated his worth as a man and an officer. Don Chapman knew his duty and had the courage to perform it. My sincerest sympathy is extended to his mother and brother in their hour of
great bereavement."
Sir Knights of the Mid-Coast involved
Sir Knight John Donald Chapman - Knighted 6/3/1935 Claremont #9 - Deceased Patrol Officer
Sir Knight Zelma Merwyn Dwinal - Knighted 4/13/1920 Camden #23 - Judge
Sir Knight Charles Henry McIntosh - Knighted 11/17/1947 Claremont #9 - former Police Officer
Sir Knight Clarence Earle Ludwick PEC - Knighted 11/25/1930 - Sheriff
Sir Knight Edward Reed Veazie PEC - Knighted 3/14/1922 - Mayor
