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Case Description
Any updates on this case?
Constable John Leary of the Columbia Police Department in California met a tragic end on November 29, 1858. His death occurred during an operation aimed at apprehending three professional thieves who had been observed loitering suspiciously around the town. Leary, along with Policeman Joel McDonald, devised a plan to uncover the intentions of these men. McDonald, dressed in plain clothes, approached the suspects and gained their trust by suggesting they rob a house together. The plan was for McD ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (4)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
John Leary
Male
Columbia
CA
1858-11-29
John
Leary
12/03/2025
Forum Posts (2)
Has anyone looked into the backgrounds of the thieves involved in Constable Leary's murder? I find i... ...Read More
10/31/2023
10/31/2023
I’ve been doing some digging into this case and something that keeps bothering me is the role of t... ...Read More
05/15/2023
05/15/2023
