OFFICER DOWN
OFFICER CHARLES O. LEGATE – EOW: 5-17-1922
On March 17, 1922, Officer Charles Legate was found dead inside of a car parked in the Main Street Garage, located in the 1200 block of Main Street.The suspects had manipulated the crime scene to make it appear as if Officer Legate had committed suicide. A coroner’s jury even determined his death was a suicide. However, after a full investigation and a special grand jury was convened, the evidence showed that Officer Legate was murdered.
He had been beaten about the head with the butt of a pistol and then shot twice.
No suspects were ever identified and the case remains unsolved.
He was buried at Evergreen-Washelli on 3-22-1922. A visit to his grave on 3-23-2013 revealed that he had been buried in an un-marked grave for 91 years. This information was turned over to SPOG.
David Quiring, the owner of Quiring Monuments has donated a beautiful headstone. Evergreen-Washelli has waived all their costs for installing it. There will be a dedication ceremony at the grave site on 6-19-13 at 1100 hours complete with the SPD Honor Guard and the SPD Pipes and Drums. Hopefully, there will also be a Medal of Honor presentation with Officer Legate’s granddaughter receiving his Medal of Honor.