Patrolman Albert Demortiers was slain in the line-of-duty on Saturday, October 27, 1917, around 11 p.m. on Broadway, at the corner of Middle Street.
Eye witnesses to the incident advised Officer Demortiers was shot twice from a .32 caliber revolver after he had encountered an intoxicated man at a local saloon while walking his beat. Witnesses reported that Officer Demortiers had staggered from the sidewalk at the southeast corner of Broadway and Middle with a bullet in his right temple, another in the left side of his neck, and fell dying in the street. Unconscious, Officer Demortiers was placed in an automobile owned by Georbe Bolz and rushed to St. Francis Hospital but died before he could be treated.
The suspect was arrested at his residence at the corner of Themis and Ellis following the incident. Later accused, the man died in the penitentiary after serving seven years of an 18 year sentence. The incident was described as "a plain case of cold-blooded murder."
Officer Demortiers was 39. He was survived by a wife, Mrs. Louis Edith Demourtiers; a daughter, Mamie, 11; a son Ralph, 9; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Amandee Demortiers; and a sister, who lived near Cape Girardeau.
Officer Demortiers was first appointed to the police force to succeed Policeman John Talley, but resigned later and was replaced by Policeman E.L. Masterson. Officer Masterson was dismissed six weeks later and Officer Demortiers was again appointed.
The funeral was at St. Vincent’s Church and burial was in Fairmont Cemetery.