George J. Carney

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire

Date/Time of Incident:
Tuesday, January 19, 1875
09:00 pm

Incident to Death Duration:
1 day

Incident Location:
I Street near 16th Street, Bedford

Incident County:
Lawrence

Incident Township:
Shawswick

Weapon Used:
Pistol

Suspect Disposition:
• Pardoned in 1888
• Pardoned in 1892

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Deputy Marshal
George J. Carney
Bedford Police Department
Wednesday, January 20, 1875

Not Included

Deputy Marshal George Carney was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary at the J.W. Mitchell & Co. drug store.

As he approached the rear alley, he was shot by one of the two males who were burglarizing the store. Deputy Marshal Carney was able to describe the suspects before he died the following day.

The 17- and 20-year-old males escaped but were captured two weeks later in Olney, Illinois, where one suspect exchanged shots with the city marshal during their arrest.

They were later convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison and pardoned in 1888 and 1892, respectively.

Deputy Marshal Carney was survived by his brother, who served with the Louisville, Kentucky, Police Department, sister and father.

Historic Place

The Bedford Courthouse Square Historic District consists of 64 contributing buildings dating to 1850 and is roughly bounded by L, 14th, 17th and H streets. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 8, 1995 and listed on the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures on April 19, 1995.

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This officer, discovered in 2015, has not been submitted for consideration as an eligible line of duty death to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by the Bedford Police Department.

Personal Details

Age: 28

Law Enforcement Service:

Burial Place:
Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford