National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Police Officer

Memorial Panel: 57-W: 18

Department: Cambria Co., Pennsylvania, District Attorney's Ofc

End of Watch: August 31, 1923

Cause: SHOT

Age: 36

Years of Service: Unk

Description: Police Officer Abrahams, County Detective John James, Captain Otto Fink, Patrolman Otto Nukem and Lieutenant William Bender were ambushed and shot when they responded to a call of officer down. Patrolman Joseph Grathan had been shot while attempting to arrest an intoxicated man. Although severely wounded, Patrolman Grathan was able to call headquarters for help. The responding officers were fired upon when they arrived at the scene. Officer Abrahams was fatally shot as he stepped out of the patrol car. Detective James was fatally shot as he ran towards the bunkhouse where the suspect was hiding. Patrolman Nukem sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was transported to the hospital where he died two weeks later on September 13th due a heart attack. Captain Fink was shot in the spine and was paralyzed from the waist down. Captain Fink died of paraplegia two months later on November 2nd. Patrolman Grathan and Lieutenant Bender survived their injuries. The suspect was killed.