In the annals of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the evening of Friday, March 5, 1909, is marked by a tragic and unforeseen event that transpired within the walls of the Fifth Precinct station house. Captain William H. Mathews, a 53-year-old veteran of the force with 23 years of service, met his untimely death not at the hands of a common criminal, but from the service revolver of one of his own officers.
The incident began to unfold when Captain Mathews, known for his stern demeanor and dedication to duty, summoned Officer John Collier to his office. The purpose of the meeting was to reprimand Collier for his failure to report for reserve duty. Accounts from those present in the station house suggest that a heated exchange took place over the telephone prior to the fatal confrontation, with Captain Mathews sounding irritated as he ordered Collier to the station.
What exactly transpired within the captain's office remains a matter of historical record, pieced together from the aftermath. A struggle ensued between the two men, culminating in Officer Collier drawing his weapon and firing upon his superior officer. Captain Mathews was shot and killed.
Officer John Collier was immediately arrested at the scene. In the subsequent legal proceedings, a coroner's jury held Collier for the killing, and he was remanded to jail to await the action of the grand jury. He was later tried and found guilty of manslaughter. The court sentenced him to a potential fifteen years in prison for his actions. Captain Mathews, a U.S. Army veteran, was survived by his wife and child and is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
