Police Officer John A. Stapf

62-E: 5
End of Watch: November 2, 1934
Baltimore City, Maryland, P.D.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1934, we lost our brother Police Officer John A. Stapf to a trolley accident based on the following;

Having completed his tour of duty, and waiting at the North Ave. call box over the Western Maryland Railway Bridge with his side partners Officer John Schmidt, and Edward Burns the awaited their reliefs. Once the other’s arrived, the trio parted ways;

Their trolley had pulled up and was standing as Schmidt, and Burns boarded same. Patrolman Stapf, rounded their trolley in an attempt to ready himself for the boarding of his westbound trolley, (Officer Staph lived at 5102 Elmer Avenue.) In his haste to get home to his family he quickly rounded their trolley and crossed over and onto the westbound trolley’s tracks where he was struck by said trolley. He was hit so hard that he was thrown into the air, and back into the of the eastbound trolley where he landed close to his partners Schmidt and Burns who later reported to the Department that Stapf’s injuries we so bad, his chances for survival were grim; still he was transported to West Baltimore General Hospital where he died due to a severe skull fracture.

Officer John A Staff, was 63 years old at the time of his death; he had served as the citizens of Baltimore for nearly 34 years, receiving numerous awards, commendations and citations. He was survived by his wife Katherine and sons George, William, John and Garland along with his daughters Lillian, Margaret, and Florence.

As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department we will not let him be forgotten, His service Honored the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department may he rest in peace, and may God bless him.