Patrolman Frank Knoebel was shot and killed while questioning a burglary suspect in the basement of the Odd Fellows Hall.

   Upon his arrival, the janitor led Patrolman Knoebel to a man sitting in a chair near the furnace. The chief soon arrived and advised him to stall the suspect while he went to get the owner of Riedel Brothers hardware store to identify him.

   Soon afterward, the suspect tried to flee and during a struggle, the suspect pulled a gun and fired two shots, striking Patrolman Knoebel in the abdomen.

   He was able to get the gun away from the suspect and climb a flight of stairs to block the exit, while the janitor subdued him until the chief returned and took him into custody.

   Patrolman Knoebel died from his wounds at King's Daughters' Hospital.

   The 27-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in a change of venue to Ripley County.

   In 1933, Governor Paul V. McNutt granted clemency and commuted the offender's sentence to life in prison where he was later released in 1949.

   Patrolman Knoebel was widowed and survived by his son, father, brother and three sisters.