Pearl Agnes Lanham
Gary Police Department
Wednesday, March 12, 1930
Served: 2 weeks
Badge #:
Panel 50W, Line 18
Panel L26, Line 3
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
Burial Place:
Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville
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.
Policewoman Lanham died before the arrival of an ambulance having suffered a crushed skull and numerous broken bones.
The 35-year-old driver brought his car to a stop after dragging her some 80 feet. He was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter.
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. |
Read more on Policewoman Lanham being remembered on the 95th anniversary of her death in our News Release. 
Gary Police Department
Policewoman Lanham