In the summer of 1904, Patrolman John Dolan of the Louisville Division of Police, a 33-year-old man, responded to a disturbance at a bar located at the intersection of Mellwood Avenue and Story Avenue. While attempting to break up a fight between two brothers who owned the establishment, one of the men produced a pistol and shot Patrolman Dolan. The other officer who was present at the scene immediately responded and fatally shot the assailant.
Patrolman Dolan was struck by the gunfire
and sustained a serious injury to his leg. He was transported to City Hospital for treatment. For four months, he fought to recover from his wounds. However, his condition took a turn for the worse, and doctors were forced to amputate his leg at the hip.
Despite the medical intervention, an infection set in at the site of the amputation. Tragically, on December 20, 1904, four months after the initial incident, Patrolman John Dolan succumbed to the infection and shock. At the time of his death, he had served with the Louisville Division of Police for one year and two months. The case was considered closed as the individual who shot him had been killed at the scene.
