National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Police Officer

Memorial Panel: 20-W: 31

Department: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, P.D.

End of Watch: April 9, 1900

Cause: SHOT

Age: 40

Years of Service: 12

Description: On December 26, 1899, Police Officer Holt was ambushed and shot by a man who had been ejected from the saloon for causing a disturbance. The man mistakenly believed that Officer Holt was responsible and shot him twice in the legs. Officer Holt was bedridden for weeks and returned to work in late February. The next month, on March 27th, Officer Holt was about to board a car when his legs became weak and he collapsed. Officer Holt was bedridden again until his death two weeks later on April 9, 1900. His physicians ascribed the cause of death as lockjaw as a result of the gunshot wounds to the legs.