In the summer of 1904, the life of Patrolman Daniel Norton, a 47-year-old male, was cut tragically short in the line of duty. On the evening of Wednesday, July 6th, Norton, a five-year veteran of the Dubuque Police Department, responded to a domestic disturbance call at a residence on Bluff Street. The call concerned a man named James Reed, who was reportedly intoxicated and causing a commotion.
Upon their arrival, Norton and his partner, Officer Barry, found that Reed had barricaded
himself inside his basement home. As the officers attempted to make their way down the stairs to apprehend him, Reed shouted a warning, "Don't come down any further, or I'll kill you." Undeterred, the officers continued their descent. A single shot then rang out, and Patrolman Norton fell back into his partner's arms, having been struck in the heart. His death was instantaneous.
Following the shooting, Reed fled into the street but was quickly subdued and arrested by other officers and several citizens who had been drawn to the scene. Reed was subsequently tried and convicted of second-degree murder. On March 5, 1905, he was sentenced to life in the Anamosa Penitentiary. However, his time in prison was not to be for life; on March 26, 1914, Governor George W. Clarke granted him a pardon. Patrolman Norton was survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.
