Patrolman Charles J. Donohue

Patrolman Charles J. Donohue 
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On this day in Baltimore Police History 1902, we lost our brother, Patrolman Charles J. Donohue, of the Northwestern police District, to gunfire based on the following:

Patrolman Charles J. Donohue was shot behind the left ear by Charles Wilson in the latter's house at 1332 Whatcoat Street Late Last night, and he now lies in serious condition at the Maryland Homeopathic Hospital. The ball pierced his skull. Wilson made his escape after firing the shot, and at an early hour this morning, he had not been captured. The shooting was done with the patrolman's own revolver. He had been called In by Mary Jones, Wilson's common-law wife, to arrest him, the couple having had trouble about money. As Donohue entered a rear room, or so Mary Jones told Sergeant Plum, he was struck over the head by Wilson with a beer bottle. While dazed, he attempted to use his revolver. The suspect grabbed It, knocking the half-conscious officer to the floor, He deliberately fired at his head. The ball entered just behind the left ear. The report of the pistol attracted Sergeant Plum, who was in the neighborhood. When he arrived at the house, he found Patrolman Donahue bleeding on the floor, but the assailant had fled through the rear yard.

Patrolman Donohue was sent to the hospital, and a general alarm was sent out for Wilson. At an early hour, it was said that the patrolman was in a critical condition.

He was appointed on August 20, 1901, and is 27 years old. He resides at 704 North Fremont Avenue. His father, Mr. John Donohue,. Is a well-known liveryman. Wilson, according to the description sent out this morning, is 35 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, moderately stout, of light color, has a small mustache, and an upper front tooth is missing. He wore a dark coat and vest and plaid trousers, with a light, flat, soft hat. It's said the trouble between Wilson and the Jones woman' started over 50 cents, which he is alleged to have gotten from her by claiming a friend had been arrested and that he wanted to help pay the fine. When the woman learned that the story was false, she demanded the return of the money. The dispute grew warm and the woman called In the officer. Patrolman Charles J. Donohue, of the Northwestern Police District, who was shot over that 50 cents In the head on that late Monday night at 1332 Whatcoat Street by a suspect named John Prewvines, alias Charles Wilson, The patrolman died last evening (20 May 1902) at 8.40 o'clock at the Maryland Homeopathic Hospital, to which he was removed after the shooting. He did not regain consciousness, and therefore no dying deposition was taken.

No hope of Patrolman Donohue's recovery was entertained at any time at the hospital. It was discontinued because of the great flow of blood from the wound. The doctors at the hospital realized the patrolman's hopeless condition. And all that they attempted to do was make him as comfortable as possible.  They found that the bullet had lodged at the base of the brain and could not be extracted. Probing for the bullet had to be discontinued because of the great flow of blood from the wound.

Miss Margaret Donohue, a sister of the fallen patrolman, spent the whole day at his bedside. His father, Mr. John Donohue, and his other siblings (brothers and sisters) were present when he drew his last breath.

While he is gone, he will not be forgotten, as we his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department, will not allow that. He stood tall, and we were proud to call him our brother. RIP Officer Byrd, and God bless...