logo

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, October 12, 1929
07:00 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Alley west of Main Street, north of Washington Street, Frankfort
Incident County:
Clinton
Incident Township:
Center
Weapon Used:
.45-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition:
• Paroled in 1945
• Sentenced to 1 to 10 years

View all fallen officers from the
Frankfort Police Department

Donate in memory of
Patrolman Amos Levi Hamilton

Share this Memorial

     
Patrolman
Amos Levi Hamilton
Frankfort Police Department
Saturday, October 12, 1929

Panel 62W, Line 4
Panel L28, Line 7

   Patrolman Amos Hamilton was shot and killed as he and two other officers escorted a suspect to the police station for questioning of recent robberies in Delphi and Flora.

   They located the suspect at Rogers cigar store and as they walked out the front door the man ran into an nearby alley. The suspect opened fire as the officers pursued him, striking Patrolman Hamilton in the face. One of the other officers returned fire, wounding the suspect and a bystander.

   The 24-year-old wounded man was able to escape but was arrested the following day. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in a change of venue to Boone County. In 1945, Governor Ralph F. Gates commuted his sentence and he was released on parole.

   A 43-year-old man, who permitted the suspect to stay in his Frankfort home overnight, received a suspended sentence of one to 10 years after being charged as an accessory after the fact to involuntary manslaughter.

   Earlier that day, Patrolman Hamilton escorted the Hammond Police Department honor guard during the funeral of their fallen officer, Detective Sergeant Leo Fox, in Frankfort.

   Patrolman Hamilton was survived by his wife, 8-year-old son, 9-year-old daughter, father and stepmother. His son retired as a trooper after having served with the Indiana State Police for 22 years.

Military Service


United States Army
World War I
Captain (CPT)


Personal Details

Age: 33
Law Enforcement Service:
2 years
Burial Place:
Clarks Hill Cemetery, Clarks Hill