In the late summer of 1928, the city of Alexandria, Virginia, was rocked by the violent death of one of its own. Sergeant Elton B. Hummer, a 30-year-old male officer of the Alexandria Police Department, was shot and killed on August 18, 1928. At the time of his death, Hummer had been with the police force for just a year, having joined on August 17, 1927. Despite his short tenure, he had already earned a promotion to the rank of sergeant on June 1, 1928, and was known for his dedication, having made numerous arrests for various offenses.
On the night of his murder, Sergeant Hummer was conducting his usual patrol on the midnight shift. The incident occurred in an alley next to 224 South Alfred Street in the Old Town section of Alexandria. Witnesses in the vicinity reported hearing two men talking, followed by a raised voice warning that this was the 'last time.' Subsequently, two gunshots rang out in quick succession, with a third shot following shortly after. When neighbors rushed to the scene, they discovered the critically injured sergeant on the pavement.
Sergeant Hummer was found with his weapon near his hand, having been shot in the chest and groin. He was barely alive when discovered and succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at Alexandria Hospital. An investigation concluded that he had been shot twice with a. 45-caliber automatic weapon and had managed to fire his own weapon once. Some neighbors reported seeing a man running from the scene, holding his side as if he were injured.
A massive manhunt was launched to find the person or persons responsible for Sergeant Hummer's death, utilizing all available resources at the time. However, the investigation was hampered by a lack of witnesses to the actual shooting. Despite the extensive efforts of the Alexandria Police Department, no suspects were ever identified or apprehended in connection with the murder. The case remains unsolved, leaving the identity of his assailant or assailants a mystery. Sergeant Hummer was survived by his parents and a brother. In 2008, on the 80th anniversary of his death, the alley where he was fatally shot was named Hummer Alley in his honor.
