A tragic and violent confrontation on May 17, 1902, claimed the life of Hugh Ozburn, a White male Policeman with the Fulton County Office of Inspector of Roads and Bridges in Atlanta, Georgia. Ozburn, along with a contingent of fellow lawmen, was attempting to serve a warrant and arrest a notorious gang of criminals. The outlaws were wanted in connection with the severe beating of a former police officer, an act of retaliation stemming from previous encounters with the law.
The-day's
bloody events unfolded when the officers located the gang fortified within a house. The criminals, refusing to surrender, took up concealed positions and unleashed a hail of gunfire upon the approaching officers. At the intersection of Amy Street, now known as Delavan Street, and Smith Street, a fierce gun battle erupted. In this exchange, Policeman Ozburn was struck by gunfire and killed. The shootout also proved fatal for three other officers: Bailiff Ed Battle of the Fulton County office, and Officers Tom Grant and Edward Crabtree of the Atlanta Police Department.
Following the initial volley that cut down the four officers, several of the suspects made a desperate attempt to escape the besieged house. They were met with a fusillade of bullets from the remaining officers and armed citizens who had been drawn to the scene by the commotion. A number of the fleeing suspects were shot and killed in the street. The gang's leader remained inside the house, which subsequently caught fire and burned to the ground. His body was later discovered within the charred remains of the building.
