In the raw chill of a late November evening in 1920, the city of Everett, Washington, was forever altered by a sudden act of violence that claimed the life of one of its own. John H. Fox, a dedicated White male detective with the Everett Police Department, met an untimely and tragic end on Tuesday, November 23rd of that year. His death would leave a lasting mark on the community and the law enforcement fraternity.
On that fateful day, Detective Fox was on duty, responding to a report of
a robbery that had occurred at the intersection of 34th Street and Broadway. As he patrolled the area, his keen eye was drawn to a suspicious-looking man on Colby Avenue. Acting on his instincts, Detective Fox stopped his patrol car to question the individual. However, as he stepped out of his vehicle, the encounter escalated with shocking speed. The man, without warning, brandished a pistol and opened fire.
In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Detective Fox was struck in the abdomen. The wound proved to be fatal, and a dedicated public servant's life was cut short in the line of duty. The man responsible for Detective Fox's death was subsequently apprehended and faced the full force of the law. He was convicted of murder and handed a sentence of life in prison for his heinous crime. In a later turn of events, however, this sentence was commuted, and the convicted killer was released after serving thirty-two years behind bars. The story of Detective John H. Fox serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who swear an oath to protect and serve.
