In the winter of 1909 in Olean, New York, a dedicated police captain named Timothy Hassett, a 46-year-old male, met a tragic end that would be remembered for over a century. His death was the result of a violent encounter with a burglar, and he remains the only officer in the history of the Olean Police Department to be killed in the line of duty. The incident began when a concerned citizen reported hearing someone inside the local lumber company, which she knew should have been closed for the night.
Captain Hassett was the officer who responded to the call. Upon his arrival and as he opened the door to an inner office, he was ambushed by the suspect who had been hiding behind the door. A struggle ensued between the two men, lasting for a harrowing five minutes. During the altercation, the suspect managed to draw his revolver and fired a shot, which missed Captain Hassett. In response, Captain Hassett drew his own weapon and fired multiple shots that struck the suspect. Despite being wounded, the burglar was able to fire his weapon again, this time fatally striking Captain Hassett in the head.
Though wounded, the suspect managed to flee the building. He was immediately confronted by two other patrolmen who had arrived at the scene. One of the officers fired his revolver, hitting the suspect in the leg. Despite this second injury, the suspect used the butt of his revolver to knock down both patrolmen before making his escape. The assailant was apprehended a short time later in a hotel room. He ultimately succumbed to the gunshot wounds he had sustained during the confrontation with Captain Hassett. Captain Hassett was survived by his wife and seven children.
