One of the largest funerals ever held in Olney is expected tomorrow afternoon when this community will pay its last respects to one of the finest officers Olney has ever had, Chief of Police William H. Armsey, 57, who was killed while in performance of his duty Sunday morning.
Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church, corner of Elm and Morgan streets, at two o'clock, with Rev. V. V. Hammer in charge, assisted by Rev O. D. Wissler, who was recently transferred from the Olney church to Terre Haute, Ind.
Burial will be at Haven Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers are to be officers who have served with Mr. Armsey. They are Sam Hamilton, Charles Phillips, Clarence Turner, Herman Hahn, Jesse Shipley and Perry Long of Noble.
The body will be taken to the Evangelical church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, at which time the casket will be opened, remaining so until time for the services at two o'clock. The casket will not be opened during or after the services. Preceding removal of the casket to the church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the body will be at the Olney Funeral Home, where friends may call.
Mr. Armsey is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Armsey, one daughter, Frances, two sons, James W. Armsey, who will be editor of the Daily Illini, University of Illinois campus newspaper, this coming year, and George Armsey, popular Olney athletic star of the last four years. Other survivors are two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Hill, of Tower Hill, and Mrs. Vada Robards of Newton, and one brother, George Armsey, of Peoria.
Starting as a young man, Mr. Armsey worked at the Egyptian Packing Company, owned by the late Ed Wilson, and later worked on a B. & O. railroad bridge gang. Fifteen years ago he became a member of the Olney City Police force, and four years later, in 1929, was appointed Richland County Game Warden. He served a term as Game Warden and a part term as Deputy Sheriff, before returning to the Olney City Police force in 1933 as Chief of Police, a position which he has held since that time.
He had been very active in politics and was a Republican precinct committeeman and had been treasurer of the Republican County Central Committee for several years. He was an active member of the Olney Evangelical Church serving as a member of the church board.
Chief of Police Armsey's limitless courage and his general fairness and consideration as an officer were characteristics which gave him the reputation of being the finest or one of the finest officers the city has ever had.
Taken from the Olney paper, July 29, 1949.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
United States, Officer Down Memorials, 1791-2009 about Chief William Henry Armsey
Name: Chief William Henry Armsey
Department: Olney Police Department
Department State: Illinois
Date of Incident: 28 Jul 1940
Death Location: Illinois
End of Watch Date: 28 Jul 1940
Age: 57
Birth Year: abt 1883
Tour of Duty: 15 Years
Badge: 1
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Charged with murder
Notes: Chief of Police William Armsey was shot to death, and the Richland County Sheriff, Harvey Moore was seriously wounded as they attempted to arrest a man who was wanted for assaulting another officer.
The suspect had severely beaten a deputy sheriff who had been assigned to guard the suspect's estranged wife. The suspect had threatened her previously.
According to reports, the officers went to the suspect's mother's house to make the arrest. Although the suspect resisted at first, he was quickly handcuffed. At that point, he asked the officers if he could go in the house to get a clean shirt.
Once inside, the suspect appeared at a window holding a shotgun, and yelled a threat to both officers.
Chief Armsey, who had lost his pistol in the scuffle with the suspect, was shot at point blank range and died instantly. The sheriff, who was not armed, ran to the back door of the suspect's house, but was wounded when he tried to enter and grab the suspect from behind.
The suspect, a former inmate at the Illinois security hospital in Anna, IL, was arrested, without incident, a short time later by a state police officer and taken to the Newton County jail as a precaution against mob violence.
Chief Armsey had served with the agency for 15 years.
He was survived by his wife and three children.
Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church, corner of Elm and Morgan streets, at two o'clock, with Rev. V. V. Hammer in charge, assisted by Rev O. D. Wissler, who was recently transferred from the Olney church to Terre Haute, Ind.
Burial will be at Haven Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers are to be officers who have served with Mr. Armsey. They are Sam Hamilton, Charles Phillips, Clarence Turner, Herman Hahn, Jesse Shipley and Perry Long of Noble.
The body will be taken to the Evangelical church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, at which time the casket will be opened, remaining so until time for the services at two o'clock. The casket will not be opened during or after the services. Preceding removal of the casket to the church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the body will be at the Olney Funeral Home, where friends may call.
Mr. Armsey is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Armsey, one daughter, Frances, two sons, James W. Armsey, who will be editor of the Daily Illini, University of Illinois campus newspaper, this coming year, and George Armsey, popular Olney athletic star of the last four years. Other survivors are two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Hill, of Tower Hill, and Mrs. Vada Robards of Newton, and one brother, George Armsey, of Peoria.
Starting as a young man, Mr. Armsey worked at the Egyptian Packing Company, owned by the late Ed Wilson, and later worked on a B. & O. railroad bridge gang. Fifteen years ago he became a member of the Olney City Police force, and four years later, in 1929, was appointed Richland County Game Warden. He served a term as Game Warden and a part term as Deputy Sheriff, before returning to the Olney City Police force in 1933 as Chief of Police, a position which he has held since that time.
He had been very active in politics and was a Republican precinct committeeman and had been treasurer of the Republican County Central Committee for several years. He was an active member of the Olney Evangelical Church serving as a member of the church board.
Chief of Police Armsey's limitless courage and his general fairness and consideration as an officer were characteristics which gave him the reputation of being the finest or one of the finest officers the city has ever had.
Taken from the Olney paper, July 29, 1949.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
United States, Officer Down Memorials, 1791-2009 about Chief William Henry Armsey
Name: Chief William Henry Armsey
Department: Olney Police Department
Department State: Illinois
Date of Incident: 28 Jul 1940
Death Location: Illinois
End of Watch Date: 28 Jul 1940
Age: 57
Birth Year: abt 1883
Tour of Duty: 15 Years
Badge: 1
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Charged with murder
Notes: Chief of Police William Armsey was shot to death, and the Richland County Sheriff, Harvey Moore was seriously wounded as they attempted to arrest a man who was wanted for assaulting another officer.
The suspect had severely beaten a deputy sheriff who had been assigned to guard the suspect's estranged wife. The suspect had threatened her previously.
According to reports, the officers went to the suspect's mother's house to make the arrest. Although the suspect resisted at first, he was quickly handcuffed. At that point, he asked the officers if he could go in the house to get a clean shirt.
Once inside, the suspect appeared at a window holding a shotgun, and yelled a threat to both officers.
Chief Armsey, who had lost his pistol in the scuffle with the suspect, was shot at point blank range and died instantly. The sheriff, who was not armed, ran to the back door of the suspect's house, but was wounded when he tried to enter and grab the suspect from behind.
The suspect, a former inmate at the Illinois security hospital in Anna, IL, was arrested, without incident, a short time later by a state police officer and taken to the Newton County jail as a precaution against mob violence.
Chief Armsey had served with the agency for 15 years.
He was survived by his wife and three children.
One of the largest funerals ever held in Olney is expected tomorrow afternoon when this community will pay its last respects to one of the finest officers Olney has ever had, Chief of Police William H. Armsey, 57, who was killed while in performance of his duty Sunday morning.
Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church, corner of Elm and Morgan streets, at two o'clock, with Rev. V. V. Hammer in charge, assisted by Rev O. D. Wissler, who was recently transferred from the Olney church to Terre Haute, Ind.
Burial will be at Haven Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers are to be officers who have served with Mr. Armsey. They are Sam Hamilton, Charles Phillips, Clarence Turner, Herman Hahn, Jesse Shipley and Perry Long of Noble.
The body will be taken to the Evangelical church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, at which time the casket will be opened, remaining so until time for the services at two o'clock. The casket will not be opened during or after the services. Preceding removal of the casket to the church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the body will be at the Olney Funeral Home, where friends may call.
Mr. Armsey is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Armsey, one daughter, Frances, two sons, James W. Armsey, who will be editor of the Daily Illini, University of Illinois campus newspaper, this coming year, and George Armsey, popular Olney athletic star of the last four years. Other survivors are two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Hill, of Tower Hill, and Mrs. Vada Robards of Newton, and one brother, George Armsey, of Peoria.
Starting as a young man, Mr. Armsey worked at the Egyptian Packing Company, owned by the late Ed Wilson, and later worked on a B. & O. railroad bridge gang. Fifteen years ago he became a member of the Olney City Police force, and four years later, in 1929, was appointed Richland County Game Warden. He served a term as Game Warden and a part term as Deputy Sheriff, before returning to the Olney City Police force in 1933 as Chief of Police, a position which he has held since that time.
He had been very active in politics and was a Republican precinct committeeman and had been treasurer of the Republican County Central Committee for several years. He was an active member of the Olney Evangelical Church serving as a member of the church board.
Chief of Police Armsey's limitless courage and his general fairness and consideration as an officer were characteristics which gave him the reputation of being the finest or one of the finest officers the city has ever had.
Taken from the Olney paper, July 29, 1949.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
United States, Officer Down Memorials, 1791-2009 about Chief William Henry Armsey
Name: Chief William Henry Armsey
Department: Olney Police Department
Department State: Illinois
Date of Incident: 28 Jul 1940
Death Location: Illinois
End of Watch Date: 28 Jul 1940
Age: 57
Birth Year: abt 1883
Tour of Duty: 15 Years
Badge: 1
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Charged with murder
Notes: Chief of Police William Armsey was shot to death, and the Richland County Sheriff, Harvey Moore was seriously wounded as they attempted to arrest a man who was wanted for assaulting another officer.
The suspect had severely beaten a deputy sheriff who had been assigned to guard the suspect's estranged wife. The suspect had threatened her previously.
According to reports, the officers went to the suspect's mother's house to make the arrest. Although the suspect resisted at first, he was quickly handcuffed. At that point, he asked the officers if he could go in the house to get a clean shirt.
Once inside, the suspect appeared at a window holding a shotgun, and yelled a threat to both officers.
Chief Armsey, who had lost his pistol in the scuffle with the suspect, was shot at point blank range and died instantly. The sheriff, who was not armed, ran to the back door of the suspect's house, but was wounded when he tried to enter and grab the suspect from behind.
The suspect, a former inmate at the Illinois security hospital in Anna, IL, was arrested, without incident, a short time later by a state police officer and taken to the Newton County jail as a precaution against mob violence.
Chief Armsey had served with the agency for 15 years.
He was survived by his wife and three children.
Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church, corner of Elm and Morgan streets, at two o'clock, with Rev. V. V. Hammer in charge, assisted by Rev O. D. Wissler, who was recently transferred from the Olney church to Terre Haute, Ind.
Burial will be at Haven Hill cemetery.
Pallbearers are to be officers who have served with Mr. Armsey. They are Sam Hamilton, Charles Phillips, Clarence Turner, Herman Hahn, Jesse Shipley and Perry Long of Noble.
The body will be taken to the Evangelical church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, at which time the casket will be opened, remaining so until time for the services at two o'clock. The casket will not be opened during or after the services. Preceding removal of the casket to the church at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the body will be at the Olney Funeral Home, where friends may call.
Mr. Armsey is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Armsey, one daughter, Frances, two sons, James W. Armsey, who will be editor of the Daily Illini, University of Illinois campus newspaper, this coming year, and George Armsey, popular Olney athletic star of the last four years. Other survivors are two sisters, Mrs. W. H. Hill, of Tower Hill, and Mrs. Vada Robards of Newton, and one brother, George Armsey, of Peoria.
Starting as a young man, Mr. Armsey worked at the Egyptian Packing Company, owned by the late Ed Wilson, and later worked on a B. & O. railroad bridge gang. Fifteen years ago he became a member of the Olney City Police force, and four years later, in 1929, was appointed Richland County Game Warden. He served a term as Game Warden and a part term as Deputy Sheriff, before returning to the Olney City Police force in 1933 as Chief of Police, a position which he has held since that time.
He had been very active in politics and was a Republican precinct committeeman and had been treasurer of the Republican County Central Committee for several years. He was an active member of the Olney Evangelical Church serving as a member of the church board.
Chief of Police Armsey's limitless courage and his general fairness and consideration as an officer were characteristics which gave him the reputation of being the finest or one of the finest officers the city has ever had.
Taken from the Olney paper, July 29, 1949.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
United States, Officer Down Memorials, 1791-2009 about Chief William Henry Armsey
Name: Chief William Henry Armsey
Department: Olney Police Department
Department State: Illinois
Date of Incident: 28 Jul 1940
Death Location: Illinois
End of Watch Date: 28 Jul 1940
Age: 57
Birth Year: abt 1883
Tour of Duty: 15 Years
Badge: 1
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Charged with murder
Notes: Chief of Police William Armsey was shot to death, and the Richland County Sheriff, Harvey Moore was seriously wounded as they attempted to arrest a man who was wanted for assaulting another officer.
The suspect had severely beaten a deputy sheriff who had been assigned to guard the suspect's estranged wife. The suspect had threatened her previously.
According to reports, the officers went to the suspect's mother's house to make the arrest. Although the suspect resisted at first, he was quickly handcuffed. At that point, he asked the officers if he could go in the house to get a clean shirt.
Once inside, the suspect appeared at a window holding a shotgun, and yelled a threat to both officers.
Chief Armsey, who had lost his pistol in the scuffle with the suspect, was shot at point blank range and died instantly. The sheriff, who was not armed, ran to the back door of the suspect's house, but was wounded when he tried to enter and grab the suspect from behind.
The suspect, a former inmate at the Illinois security hospital in Anna, IL, was arrested, without incident, a short time later by a state police officer and taken to the Newton County jail as a precaution against mob violence.
Chief Armsey had served with the agency for 15 years.
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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