Patrolman James McCracken was shot and killed during an armed robbery as he escorted the manager of the Wysor Grand Theatre to a bank to make a night deposit.

   Four suspects fled the scene with $747 and later shot Patrolman Charles A. Holt, 36, of the Springfield Police Department in Ohio, on June 29, 1932, who died the following day.

   A 27- and 38-year-old man were apprehended on August 10 in Indianapolis. Both later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. A third man, the 31-year-old shooter who killed Patrolman McCracken, was arrested on August 30 in New Orleans. He later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

   On July 23, the fourth suspect and the 31-year-old shooter who killed Patrolman Holt were captured in Effingham, Illinois. The 25-year-old man later pleaded guilty to shooting with intent to kill and sentenced to life in prison.

   The shooter was later found guilty of first-degree murder in Ohio and sentenced to life in prison. In 1959, Ohio Governor Michael V. DiSallefio granted him a pardon.

   Patrolman McCracken was survived by his wife, mother, stepfather, two sisters, brother, two stepsisters and stepbrother.