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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Struck by vehicle
Date/Time of Incident:
Wednesday, March 12, 1930
02:30 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
39th Avenue and Broadway, Gary
Incident County:
Lake
Incident Township:
Calumet
Weapon Used:
None
Suspect Disposition:
Charged

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Gary Police Department

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Policewoman Pearl Agnes Lanham

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Policewoman
Pearl Agnes Lanham
Gary Police Department
Wednesday, March 12, 1930

Panel 50W, Line 18
Panel L26, Line 3

   Policewoman Pearl Lanham was struck and killed by a vehicle after assisting children cross a street near the Glen Park Elementary School.

   She had just escorted three children across Broadway and was returning for several other children when she was struck by a car traveling southbound.

   The 35-year-old driver brought his car to a stop after dragging her some 50 feet. She died before the arrival of an ambulance having suffered a crushed skull and broken limbs.

   Policewoman Lanham (née Wheatley) was survived by her husband, 8-, 5- and 4-year-old and 8-month-old daughters, mother, three brothers and sister.

Historical Notes

• Policewoman Lanham is the first known female law enforcement line of duty death in Indiana.
• She also is the sixth known female line of duty death in the United States.


Personal Details

Age: 33
Law Enforcement Service:
2 months
Burial Place:
Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville