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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, December 7, 1935
Incident to Death Duration:
11 days
Incident Location:
12th Street and Park Avenue, Indianapolis
Incident County:
Marion
Incident Township:
Center
Weapon Used:
Gun (unknown type)
Suspect Disposition:
• Sentenced to life
• Sentenced to life

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Indianapolis Police Department

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Sergeant Orville E. Quinnette

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Sergeant
Orville E. Quinnette
Indianapolis Police Department
Wednesday, December 18, 1935

Panel 52W, Line 1
Panel L30, Line 5

   Sergeant Orville Quinnette died more than a week after being shot while attempting to locate a homicide suspect.

   He and his partner went to the Hazel Dell Apartments after receiving a tip that a man who killed Patrol Officer Frank Levy of the Anderson Police Department was living there.

   As they attempted to gain entry into his room, shots were fired by two subjects inside and a gunbattle ensued. Sergeant Quinnette was shot five times and his partner once before both wounded suspects fled the building.

   Sergeant Quinnette was transported to City Hospital where he died 11 days later.

   The suspects stole a car at gunpoint during their escape but were captured near Milroy at the home of a paroled convict. They both were later sentenced to life in prison.

   Over a year earlier, the 25- and 28-year-old men had escaped from the Indiana State Prison Farm while they both were serving 10-year terms for robbery.

   Sergeant Quinnette was survived by his wife, mother, sister and two brothers.



The responsibilities of the Indianapolis Police Department (1854–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Personal Details

Age: 33
Law Enforcement Service:
5 years, 4 months
Badge #: 408
Burial Place:
Washington Park East Cemetery, Indianapolis