On a Saturday evening, March 3, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama, the life of 26-year-old Motorcycle Officer Elsie T. Lewis was tragically cut short. While on patrol with his partner, Officer Lewis initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by two men who had run a red light. In an instant, the routine stop turned fatal when one of the men in the car opened fire.
Officer Lewis was struck by the gunfire and killed, while his partner sustained a wound to the leg.
Despite his injury, Officer Lewis's partner courageously pursued the fleeing suspects. The chase ended several blocks away where the wounded officer confronted and fought with the two men. Several citizens, witnessing the struggle, came to the officer's aid, and the two suspects were ultimately subdued and taken into custody.
Following their arrest, both men were charged with the murder of Officer Elsie T. Lewis. The individual identified as the gunman was subsequently convicted of murder. Justice was carried out on July 10, 1928, when he was executed in the electric chair. At the time of his death, Officer Lewis was survived by his son and his expectant wife.
