In the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia, a tragedy unfolded on a February day that would leave a family without a husband and father, and the local police force mourning one of their own. Harry B. Fender, a 30-year-old White/Caucasian male, was a dedicated patrolman with the Savannah Police Department, having served his community for eight years. His life was cut short on Saturday, February 16, 1901, in a violent encounter in the line of duty.
The day of his death, Patrolman Fender was
attempting to arrest a man who had reportedly shot another citizen. During this dangerous confrontation, the suspect turned his weapon on the officer, firing a shot that would prove fatal. The gunman was subsequently apprehended and faced the full force of the law for his actions.
Following his arrest, the man responsible for Patrolman Fender's death was convicted of murder and received the sentence of death. However, on February 7, 1902, a turn of events saw Governor Candler commute the sentence to life in prison. The story did not end there for the convicted killer. After serving a portion of his sentence, he was granted parole on October 2, 1916. The loss of Patrolman Fender was deeply felt by his family, leaving behind a wife and two children to navigate life without him.
