Patrolman George E. Caldwell

Syracuse Police Department

Date of Death: July 10, 1928

Patrolman George Caldwell was astride his parked motorcycle at Danforth and Lodi Streets on July 10, 1928, when a roadster sped past him. Deciding to stop the vehicle, he attempted to start his motorcycle, but the delay gave the speeder a two‑block lead. As he pursued the offender north on Lodi Street and approached Court Street, a small truck in the opposing lane turned left in front of him. Patrolman Caldwell tried to take evasive action but was unable to avoid the truck. After striking the vehicle, his motorcycle careened across Lodi Street and threw him into a parked car. As the patrolman lay in the street, the truck’s operator fled the scene. He later told investigators that he panicked because his wife and children were in the truck and he “went home.” Patrolman George Caldwell died two hours later at St. Joseph’s Hospital without regaining consciousness. The driver of the speeding vehicle who initiated the pursuit did not stop and was never identified. Patrolman Caldwell was leaving for work that night when one of his daughters asked what time he would be home. Jokingly, he told her, “I may not be home tonight. You never tell with this job.”