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 McDonald to lead the thieves to his saloon, where Leary would be waiting to arrest them.
However, the operation took a deadly turn. As the group approached the saloon, the thieves grew suspicious upon noticing a light inside. Their distrust led them to shoot McDonald in the head, killing him instantly. The suspects then fled the scene. Three days later, Constable Leary managed to locate the suspects and attempted to arrest one of them. Unfortunately, the suspect drew a gun and fatally shot Leary. This marked the end of Leary's seven-year service as city marshal.
The aftermath of these events saw swift and brutal justice. Two of the suspects were captured within days and lynched by enraged citizens. The third suspect was shot and killed during an arrest attempt. The deaths of Constable Leary and Policeman McDonald were significant as they were among the first police officers killed in the line of duty in California. Their sacrifice is remembered and honored by the community and law enforcement agencies.
