In the late hours of August 14, 1907, Patrolman Clarence Shockley was dutifully making his nightly rounds at the Carmi Smith Lumberyard in Niles, Michigan. The quiet of the evening was shattered when witnesses reported seeing two unidentified men enter the lumberyard, followed by the sound of four quick gunshots. Mistaking the noise for a quarrel, those who heard it chose not to get involved, a decision that would have grave consequences.
An hour passed before the silence was broken
again, this time by the groans of the injured officer. A passerby, Glenn Kugler, discovered the wounded patrolman and quickly sought help. Medical attention was administered to Officer Shockley, but his injuries were too severe. He succumbed to the gunshot wounds and passed away the following day, August 15, 1907.
The murder of Patrolman Shockley, a male officer, sent shockwaves through the community. He was survived by his wife. His funeral was a large and solemn affair, with over a thousand people in attendance, including a significant contingent of law enforcement officers from South Bend and Buchanan. The service was a testament to a life spent in service, with a reverend speaking of his dedication and duty.
Despite the initial witness accounts of two men entering the lumberyard, the individuals responsible for Officer Shockley's death were never identified. A substantial $1,000 reward was offered for information leading to the capture of his killer, but the case ultimately went cold. The assailant or assailants were never brought to justice, leaving the murder of Clarence Shockley an unsolved crime that marked a tragic day in the history of the Niles police force. He was laid to rest in Silverbrook Cemetery, his final resting place a reminder of a life cut short in the line of duty.
