On a Thursday in June of 1905, Allegheny City Police Officer Adam Hein, a 43-year-old man, was walking his beat with his partner. An 18-year veteran of the force, Hein made a stop at a hardware store located at 865 East Ohio Street, near Chestnut Street. He went inside to pick up four cartridges for his service revolver, a customary practice for officers at this particular store, which was owned by a close friend of Hein's.
While inside the store, the owner asked to show Officer Hein a
revolver. As the owner handed the weapon to Hein, it accidentally discharged, striking the officer in the abdomen. His partner, who had been waiting outside, heard the gunshot and rushed in to provide aid.
Officer Hein was quickly transported to Allegheny General Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival. A coroner's inquest was held to investigate the shooting. The jury learned of the close friendship between Hein and the store owner, and the common practice of officers obtaining cartridges from the store free of charge. Ultimately, the coroner's inquest jury exonerated the store owner from any blame in the accidental shooting. Officer Hein was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
