John F. Houlehan
Agency: Kansas City Police Department, MO
Officer Houlehan, 56, was born in Ireland on April 4, 1860 to Partick and Catherine Houlehan. He was married to his wife, Bridgety, and had six children named Charles, John, Edward, Joseph, Hazel, and Margaret.
Officer Houlehan began his career with the Kansas City Police Department as a jailer on January 22, 1890. He was appointed to the department on January 22, 1896, and reappointed November 17, 1915. Patrolman Houlehan had been with the agency for 20 years.
On December 17, 1916, Officers John F. Houlehan and Jerome M. Fells were on duty near the Bonaventure Hotel on Independence Boulevard and Park Avenue, when they noticed a young man acting suspiciously. Officer Fells asked the man to stop, and the man drew his revolver on them. Officer Houlehan attempted to draw his gun, and was shot. Officer Fells was then also shot in the thigh but was able to pursue the suspect, Charles Matthews, 24, and capture him an hour after the shooting. Matthews plead guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to a life in prison that same day. Officer Houlehan was taken to the hospital, where he died December 23, 1916. Funeral services were held at St. James Cathedral, 39th and Harrison Boulevard.
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