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Marshal Charles A. Ralston
Weeping Water Police Department, Nebraska
End of Watch: Sunday, November 1, 1908

Marshal Ralston was shot and killed while following a group of men believed to be jewelry thieves. He had followed the men from their hotel to a local railroad yard, where he was shot by the men after being noticed.

Source: Officer Down Memorial Page
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Weeping Water Marshal Charles A. Ralston died from a gunshot wound at about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 1908. Marshal Ralston had been watching several subjects who were believed to be jewelry thieves and who had checked into the local hotel. After following them into the railroad yard it is believed that Ralston was shot by one of the men after being discovered. Marshal Ralston was 49 years old and survived by his wife, Nettie, and six children.

Source: Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Office
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Besides a wife, deceased leaves six children, three boys and three girls, two boys Floyd and Roy working in Omaha, the balance of the family reside in Peru [Neb.], where Mrs. Ralston moved last spring and presides over a boarding and rooming house, her patrons being students [at what is now Peru State College]. The deceased was 49 years old the 15th of last October.
[...]
The relatives that came to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. A. U. [Olive Viola Ralston] Marshall of Cozad, Neb., Mrs. O. D. [Catherine Priscilla Ralston] Smith another sister, of Holbrook [Neb.], John M. Ralston of Kansas City, Mrs. [Arra J. Ralston] Conner, a sister from Kansas City. Another brother, [Frank] C. Ralston of Poplar Bluffs, Mo., and a sister Sadie [Sarah E. Ralston] Phillips, of Denver were not present. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon in the Mennonite Church at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. Jacob Hygema assisted by Rev. J. H. Andress officiating, and the body laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery. A large concourse of people were present at the funeral.
There is a sadness in the hearts of our people, for all recognize that the city has lost a good citizen, a man faithful to his trust. The aged mother, the wife and children have the sympathy of all.

Source: Weeping Water Republican newspaper of Nov. 5, 1908, excerpted by Robert Ralston, great grandson of Charles A. Ralston
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