Case Number: 8006
Finnegan, Edward C. - Age 27 - Patrolman - 15 Dist. Shot to death at 2:30 PM, in 39th St., about 250 feet east of California Ave., by Richard Evans and Otto Hacker, whom he had arrested for speeding and was driving to the station in their car, Hacker sitting beside him and Evans in rear seat. Evans shot Finnegan in the back of the head and then both threw him out of the auto and escaped. On 3/29/26 their arrest was recommended by the Coroner. 15 Dist. 4/16/26 Hacker and Evans brought back from Midland, Texas and turned over to the Sheriff. 9/20/26 Evans sentenced to hang 10/22/26 - Miller. 10/29/26 Evans hanged in Co. Jail. 1/18/27 - Hacker acquitted - Lindsay.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | March 27, 1926 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | March 27, 1926 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | in 39th & about 250 ft. east of California st. |
| Type of Location | Vehicle |
| Location Description | on 39th & about 250ft. East of California while dr |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Characteristics | 2 men killed cop after arrest |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | Shot in back of the head |
| Motive | def arrested for speeding while driving to station |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Police officer killed during apprehension |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | on 39th & about 250ft. East of California while dr |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Related to Organized Crime |
Victim
| Name | Finnegan, Edward C. |
|---|---|
| Age | 27 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Occupation/ Skill | Other, professional |
Defendant
| Name | Evan, Richard |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 15 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Arrest Made at Crime Scene | Out of state arrest |
| Date Defendant Arrested | 16-Apr-27 |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Weeks |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 2 |
| Victim Employed by Law Enforcement | Patrolman on duty, on street, beat |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | March 29, 1926 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Recommended investigation/arrest |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Miller |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | September 20, 1926 |
| Length of Sentence | Death penalty |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty of murder |
| Post Trial Information | Death sentence carried out |
| Sentence Completed | Yes |
