Frederick F. Tierney
Agency: Kansas City Police Department, Missouri
Frederick F. Tierney served as a member of the police department for two years. He was survived by his parents, Michael and Anna Tierney.
On October 20, 1919 Officers Frederick F. Tierney and two other officers, Jesse F. Shepherd, and Vincent D. Crowley responded to a break-in at the Crescent Cigar Store at 1211 Baltimore Avenue where a popular gambling house had closed just three days earlier as a result of an anti-vice campaign. An employee of the Dixon Hotel at 12th Street and Baltimore Avenue called police when he heard the noise of the attempted break-in. The officers arrived as the 4 or 5 men were attempting to blow off the door of the safe with a charge of nitroglycerin. A gunfight ensued, and Officer Tierney chased one of the men down Baltimore Avenue. Officer Tierney caught him, and a struggle followed. Officer Tierney was knocked to the ground and as he laid there, the man shot him.
When the burglar fled, Officer Tierney remained conscious long enough to empty his weapon in the man's direction. Crowley and Shepherd were able to capture one of the burglars that morning. Officer Tierney died that afternoon at the hospital at the age of 21.
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