In the summer of 1919, a dedicated detective lost his life in the line of duty during a chaotic confrontation on the streets of Petersburg, Virginia. Detective James M. Young, a 62-year-old male, had served with the Petersburg Police Department for three years when he responded to a report of a larceny. Two men had been caught attempting to steal from another individual inside a hotel on East Bank Street.
The suspects fled the hotel and were then seen brandishing pistols at several
citizens on Bollingbrook Street. Detective Young located the two men near the foot of 3rd Street and identified himself as a police officer. One of the men complied with the detective's orders and surrendered his weapon. The second suspect, however, resisted arrest, leading to an exchange of gunfire between him and Detective Young.
As the shootout unfolded, another officer arrived at the scene. In the crossfire, the responding officer inadvertently struck Detective Young. The detective's own shot had hit the resisting suspect. Both Detective Young and the suspect died from their injuries at the scene.
