In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 17, 1905, the town of Troy, Pennsylvania, was shaken by the violent death of its Chief of Police, Edward W. Fenner. The 49-year-old male officer was discovered lifeless near a local horse barn, not far from the center of town. An investigation revealed he had been shot and killed while on his nightly patrol. It is believed that Chief Fenner interrupted a burglary in progress at a blacksmith shop.
Noticing the door was ajar, he entered and was met by the burglar, who opened fire.
Chief Fenner was found on his back, still clutching his. 32 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in his left hand, as he was left-handed. Four of the five chambers of his weapon had been fired, suggesting a struggle had ensued. He sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and chest, which proved to be fatal at the scene. Despite the exchange of gunfire, the suspect or suspects managed to escape and were never apprehended.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a substantial reward of $1,000 was offered for information leading to the capture of the person or persons responsible for Chief Fenner's murder. Detectives from both Northern Pennsylvania and Southern New York were brought in to work on the case, but no definitive clues ever emerged to identify the killer. Several individuals were questioned, including a man who had been seen talking loudly with the chief earlier that night, and two others who were picked up from freight trains. However, none were ultimately charged with the crime. The case grew cold, leaving a lasting mystery in the community. Chief Fenner was survived by his wife and six children.
