Chico Police Officer Carleton J. Bruce was killed in the line of duty on February 22, 1938, by an armed gunman. This site is dedicated to the memory of our fellow Officer who gave his life defending our city. Special thanks is given to Chico Police Sergeant Dan Fonseca and Chico Police emloyee Brett Vosika for locating and gathering this information.
The following posts are the news stories as posted in the "Chico Record" which was the newspaper of the day.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Editorial: Officer Carleton Bruce
OFFICER CARLETON BRUCE
Chico has lost in a most tragic way one of its most capable police officers, Carleton J. Bruce, and a wife and two children have lost a devoted husband and father. He responded to the call of dangerous duty, that of affording protection to individuals whose lives were being threatened by a man whose mind had become deranged through cause yet undetermined. The young officer was fatally wounded without being given any chance for defense and for no reason. He had had no opportunity to effect an arrest nor indicate that he intended to do so. As he entered the doorway where there had been a disturbance he was coldly greeted with bullets, one of which struck a vital spot. The crazed assassin realized within an hour the gravity of his offense and ended all by strangling himself to death in the prison cell. The family of Carleton Bruce have the deepest sympathy of this entire community. He died in the faithful performance of his duty; his record as an officer and citizen was clean.
His contact with the public was ever courteously helpful and in his enforcement of police regulations he won co-operation by the use of reason.
(Chico Record, Feb. 24, 1938)
Chico has lost in a most tragic way one of its most capable police officers, Carleton J. Bruce, and a wife and two children have lost a devoted husband and father. He responded to the call of dangerous duty, that of affording protection to individuals whose lives were being threatened by a man whose mind had become deranged through cause yet undetermined. The young officer was fatally wounded without being given any chance for defense and for no reason. He had had no opportunity to effect an arrest nor indicate that he intended to do so. As he entered the doorway where there had been a disturbance he was coldly greeted with bullets, one of which struck a vital spot. The crazed assassin realized within an hour the gravity of his offense and ended all by strangling himself to death in the prison cell. The family of Carleton Bruce have the deepest sympathy of this entire community. He died in the faithful performance of his duty; his record as an officer and citizen was clean.
His contact with the public was ever courteously helpful and in his enforcement of police regulations he won co-operation by the use of reason.
(Chico Record, Feb. 24, 1938)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Carleton J. (Dick) Bruce, 36, Chico police officer, was shot and killed last night at Joe's Tamale Parlor, 118 Main Street.
One hour later officers found the body of Elmer Schutrum, 55, his German assassin, hanging by a belt from a bunk in his cell in the city jail.
The shooting occurred at 7:15 p.m. as Bruce with Officer Tom Jones, burst into the tamale parlor to investigate reports that a stranger was brandishing a .30-30 rifle in the restaurant.
KILLER GIVES POLICE NO WARNING - Without warning, Schutrum, of 924 Pine Street, turned on the officers, felling Bruce with his first bullet. Mark Williams, 50, bartender, and a spectator at the time, and Joe Silva, 61, the proprietor, both jumped the berserk German from the rear undoubtedly saving Jones' life, according to statements taken by Chief of Police C. E. Tovee. Twice more Schutrum fired, the bullets grazing Jones, who answered with a volley of three shots from his pistol. In his anxiety for the safety of Silva and Williams, the officer's shots all missed Schutrum.
SEYDEL STRUCK BY STRAY BULLETS - Dr. Charles Seydel, 24, young dentist was struck by both of the stray bullets as he was getting into his car parked across Main Street in front of the J.C. Penney Company. One entered his right shoulder, lodging under the clavicle and the other struck his left elbow. Unaided, he walked to the office of Dr. J.P. Fabian, a block away, for treatment. His condition last night was improved.
SCHUTRUM BATTLES - Schutrum battled fiercely. Though held by Williams and Silva, he broke from their grasp as Officer Jones attempted to handcuff him, grabbed the officer's pistol. Desperately, however, Jones wrenched the gun from the German, rapped him twice over the head, causing a wide gash in the scalp. According to Desk Sergeant Herbert Forward the gun wielding German had been booked at the police station previously on drunk charges. Charles Facciano, restaurant owner, tentatively identified the body in the cell.
ANGRY MOB FORMS - The shooting attracted hundreds, and an angry crowd gathered outside the police station during investigation of the killing. Spectators dispersed when they learned of Schutrum's suicide. Again at the police station, Schutrum attempted to break for it after wrestling officers and was only subdued when Forward threatened him with a gun. Bruce lived only 10 minutes after the bullet pierced his abdomen. He was rushed to Enloe Hospital by H.C. Bicknell ambulance but died shortly after arrival.
NO STOCK ON GUN - According to statements taken from Silva by Assistant District Attorney P.M. Barceloux, Tovee and Sheriff Herbert Taylor, Schutrum entered the parlor with the gun, which had no stock, wrapped in a heavy coat. "I'm looking for the big man," Silva quoted him as saying. "No beeg (sic) man here," Silva reportedly replied. "I look," replied Schutrum and attempted to push his way into the rear of the establishment where Silva's family was eating dinner.
The coat fell from the weapon, and very much frightened, Mrs. Manuel Silva and Tony Panciano ran into The Record office. Employees notified the police station, and Bruce and Jones answered the call.
Silva told authorities that Williams attempted to pick up the coat and hand it to Schutrum, but that he refused it with the warning: "Do not come near me!"
NO TIME TO DEFEND - It was while the German held Silva and Williams at bay that Bruce strode through the door straight into the withering fire from Schutrum's gun. He had no time to draw his pistol. Bystanders reported that Schutrum had been drinking. Officers said there was a possibility that he might have a marihuana (sic) addict. Sheriff Taylor, Forward and Tovee found the body in the cell at 8:22 p.m. when they went to question Schutrum. The officers called to him and receiving no answer investigated and found the body.
SCUFFLING IN CELL - They estimated that Schutrum could not have been dead more than 10 minutes. Other prisoners reported they heard a scuffling in Schutrum's cell but thought nothing of it. Barceloux said that the man had used his belt and suspenders to fashion a rude loop to hang from the upper bunk. Then by placing his head in the loop and throwing his weight off his feet, he succeeded in the suicide attempt. Sheriff Taylor cut the noose releasing the half nude body.
LIVES HERE LONG - Bruce was born in Davis Creek, Modoc county, but has lived in Chico most of his life. His home was on E. Second Avenue. He leaves a wife, Jessica Bruce, and two sons, Robert and Carleton. Prior to joining the regular police force, December 1, 1935, he worked as a merchant patrolman from April 1, 1932 to June 30, 1934, and then was employed by the Fish and Game Commission.
* Source (Chico Record, Feb. 23, 1938)
The shooting occurred at 7:15 p.m. as Bruce with Officer Tom Jones, burst into the tamale parlor to investigate reports that a stranger was brandishing a .30-30 rifle in the restaurant.
KILLER GIVES POLICE NO WARNING - Without warning, Schutrum, of 924 Pine Street, turned on the officers, felling Bruce with his first bullet. Mark Williams, 50, bartender, and a spectator at the time, and Joe Silva, 61, the proprietor, both jumped the berserk German from the rear undoubtedly saving Jones' life, according to statements taken by Chief of Police C. E. Tovee. Twice more Schutrum fired, the bullets grazing Jones, who answered with a volley of three shots from his pistol. In his anxiety for the safety of Silva and Williams, the officer's shots all missed Schutrum.
SEYDEL STRUCK BY STRAY BULLETS - Dr. Charles Seydel, 24, young dentist was struck by both of the stray bullets as he was getting into his car parked across Main Street in front of the J.C. Penney Company. One entered his right shoulder, lodging under the clavicle and the other struck his left elbow. Unaided, he walked to the office of Dr. J.P. Fabian, a block away, for treatment. His condition last night was improved.
SCHUTRUM BATTLES - Schutrum battled fiercely. Though held by Williams and Silva, he broke from their grasp as Officer Jones attempted to handcuff him, grabbed the officer's pistol. Desperately, however, Jones wrenched the gun from the German, rapped him twice over the head, causing a wide gash in the scalp. According to Desk Sergeant Herbert Forward the gun wielding German had been booked at the police station previously on drunk charges. Charles Facciano, restaurant owner, tentatively identified the body in the cell.
ANGRY MOB FORMS - The shooting attracted hundreds, and an angry crowd gathered outside the police station during investigation of the killing. Spectators dispersed when they learned of Schutrum's suicide. Again at the police station, Schutrum attempted to break for it after wrestling officers and was only subdued when Forward threatened him with a gun. Bruce lived only 10 minutes after the bullet pierced his abdomen. He was rushed to Enloe Hospital by H.C. Bicknell ambulance but died shortly after arrival.
NO STOCK ON GUN - According to statements taken from Silva by Assistant District Attorney P.M. Barceloux, Tovee and Sheriff Herbert Taylor, Schutrum entered the parlor with the gun, which had no stock, wrapped in a heavy coat. "I'm looking for the big man," Silva quoted him as saying. "No beeg (sic) man here," Silva reportedly replied. "I look," replied Schutrum and attempted to push his way into the rear of the establishment where Silva's family was eating dinner.
The coat fell from the weapon, and very much frightened, Mrs. Manuel Silva and Tony Panciano ran into The Record office. Employees notified the police station, and Bruce and Jones answered the call.
Silva told authorities that Williams attempted to pick up the coat and hand it to Schutrum, but that he refused it with the warning: "Do not come near me!"
NO TIME TO DEFEND - It was while the German held Silva and Williams at bay that Bruce strode through the door straight into the withering fire from Schutrum's gun. He had no time to draw his pistol. Bystanders reported that Schutrum had been drinking. Officers said there was a possibility that he might have a marihuana (sic) addict. Sheriff Taylor, Forward and Tovee found the body in the cell at 8:22 p.m. when they went to question Schutrum. The officers called to him and receiving no answer investigated and found the body.
SCUFFLING IN CELL - They estimated that Schutrum could not have been dead more than 10 minutes. Other prisoners reported they heard a scuffling in Schutrum's cell but thought nothing of it. Barceloux said that the man had used his belt and suspenders to fashion a rude loop to hang from the upper bunk. Then by placing his head in the loop and throwing his weight off his feet, he succeeded in the suicide attempt. Sheriff Taylor cut the noose releasing the half nude body.
LIVES HERE LONG - Bruce was born in Davis Creek, Modoc county, but has lived in Chico most of his life. His home was on E. Second Avenue. He leaves a wife, Jessica Bruce, and two sons, Robert and Carleton. Prior to joining the regular police force, December 1, 1935, he worked as a merchant patrolman from April 1, 1932 to June 30, 1934, and then was employed by the Fish and Game Commission.
* Source (Chico Record, Feb. 23, 1938)
PONCIANO IS BELIEVED "BIG MAN"
Tony Ponciano, 58, 120 Main Street, last night led suspects in the hunt for the mysterious "big man" for whom Elmer Schutrum was searching when he murdered Officer C.J. (Dick) Bruce Tuesday evening.
Investigation pressed by Chief of Police C.E. Tovee singled out three big men who might have been Schutrum's intended victims. They were Ponciano, father of Tony Ponciano, Jr., proprietor of the bar adjoining Joe's Tamale Parlor; Mark Williams, bartender at Mac's Liquor Store, 134 Main; Manuel Marshall, a carpenter.
TWO ELIMINATED - The latter two were eliminated, Tovee pointed out, because Schutrum had numerous chances to shoot them before Bruce came into the establishment.
Marshall was seated at a table reading the paper, in full view of the killer and Williams, with Joe Silva, proprietor of the tamale parlor, was attempting to persuade Schutrum to put down the gun.
Silva said last night that the elder Ponciano had been in the upstairs apartment sleeping at the time Schutrum entered. A few minutes later and several minutes prior to the shooting, however, he dashed through the Record office and made his way down Broadway toward the Children's Playground.
FURTHER QUESTIONING - Officers contemplated further questioning today. Tovee yesterday reconstructed Schutrum's actions since Monday night when he allegedly had an argument with his "big man" in Ponciano's bar.
Though young Ponciano and Silva both denied that Schutrum had argued with anyone in their establishment either Monday or Tuesday, Tovee said he had learned that Schutrum came into Mac's Liquor Store Monday evening and describing an argument he had in the adjoining bar said: "I'll get my rifle and kill that ---------!"
TOO BIG TO FIGHT - Schutrum had said that the man he argued with was too big for him to fight and that he would have to get a gun to settle the dispute. Howard McQuone, proprietor of Mac's store, reported that he argued with Schutrum, attempting to dissuade him and took him to his cabin late Monday evening. "I thought that he had been argued out of any shooting," McQuone said.
Tovee stated he had learned that Schutrum had been spiking his beer for the past several days from a bottle of whiskey. "Undoubtedly the man was crazed with drink," the chief reported, "and the obsession to kill some man who had insulted him grew."
ARRANGES EFFECTS - Tuesday the German unscrewed the stock from the well-oiled gun, enabling him to carry it in a sweater, emptied a box of 20 .30-30 shells, loaded the gun and placed the remainder in his pocket. He placed the deeds to five acres of property in Willows and all his personal effects in two small green tin boxes and locked them.
According to Assistant District Attorney P.M. Barceloux his estate will reach $2,000.
He then wrote on the empty cartridge box: "NOTICE DEAD MEN DON'T TALK."
This note was placed on a table.
PLANNED GETAWAY - "Schutrum never intended to return, as is shown by this note. He planned to get his man and then shoot the first man who tried to halt his getaway. When he was captured his only other means of escape was suicide." Tovee said.
Sheriff Herbert Taylor and Officer Russell Northrup searched the cabin.
Following questioning of all eye witnesses to the shooting, Tovee commented that proof was all that was lacking in the search for the "big man."
SAYS NO QUARREL - Young Ponciano said last night that Schutrum had been in his bar both Monday and Tuesday but that he had not been in during the evening and that he quarreled with nobody.
It was learned yesterday that a call to the police station prior to the one made from the Chico Record had summoned Bruce and Jones to the scene. The first call merely had stated that "a policeman is wanted at Joe's Tamale Parlor." Record employees reported a shooting was in progress, but Jones and Bruce had left, not aware a man was wielding a gun.
Mark Williams, a bartender, who with Joe Silva attempted to subdue Schutrum, told Tovee yesterday that if Bruce has waited one minute longer before entering the parlor, there would have been no shooting.
NEEDED MORE TIME - "I believe that in that time I could have taken the gun from the man." Williams was quoted as saying.
The inquest will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the city hall it was announced last night by Deputy Coroner W.V. West following a conference with Sheriff Herbert Taylor.
FUNERAL IS SET - Funeral services for Bruce will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Harris Pillsbury of the Presbyterian church officiating. Burial will be in Chico cemetery.
Mrs. Mae Skinner, Pasadena, a sister of Schutrum, notified West yesterday that she would arrive in Chico today to make funeral arrangements.
(Chico Record, Feb. 24, 1938)
Investigation pressed by Chief of Police C.E. Tovee singled out three big men who might have been Schutrum's intended victims. They were Ponciano, father of Tony Ponciano, Jr., proprietor of the bar adjoining Joe's Tamale Parlor; Mark Williams, bartender at Mac's Liquor Store, 134 Main; Manuel Marshall, a carpenter.
TWO ELIMINATED - The latter two were eliminated, Tovee pointed out, because Schutrum had numerous chances to shoot them before Bruce came into the establishment.
Marshall was seated at a table reading the paper, in full view of the killer and Williams, with Joe Silva, proprietor of the tamale parlor, was attempting to persuade Schutrum to put down the gun.
Silva said last night that the elder Ponciano had been in the upstairs apartment sleeping at the time Schutrum entered. A few minutes later and several minutes prior to the shooting, however, he dashed through the Record office and made his way down Broadway toward the Children's Playground.
FURTHER QUESTIONING - Officers contemplated further questioning today. Tovee yesterday reconstructed Schutrum's actions since Monday night when he allegedly had an argument with his "big man" in Ponciano's bar.
Though young Ponciano and Silva both denied that Schutrum had argued with anyone in their establishment either Monday or Tuesday, Tovee said he had learned that Schutrum came into Mac's Liquor Store Monday evening and describing an argument he had in the adjoining bar said: "I'll get my rifle and kill that ---------!"
TOO BIG TO FIGHT - Schutrum had said that the man he argued with was too big for him to fight and that he would have to get a gun to settle the dispute. Howard McQuone, proprietor of Mac's store, reported that he argued with Schutrum, attempting to dissuade him and took him to his cabin late Monday evening. "I thought that he had been argued out of any shooting," McQuone said.
Tovee stated he had learned that Schutrum had been spiking his beer for the past several days from a bottle of whiskey. "Undoubtedly the man was crazed with drink," the chief reported, "and the obsession to kill some man who had insulted him grew."
ARRANGES EFFECTS - Tuesday the German unscrewed the stock from the well-oiled gun, enabling him to carry it in a sweater, emptied a box of 20 .30-30 shells, loaded the gun and placed the remainder in his pocket. He placed the deeds to five acres of property in Willows and all his personal effects in two small green tin boxes and locked them.
According to Assistant District Attorney P.M. Barceloux his estate will reach $2,000.
He then wrote on the empty cartridge box: "NOTICE DEAD MEN DON'T TALK."
This note was placed on a table.
PLANNED GETAWAY - "Schutrum never intended to return, as is shown by this note. He planned to get his man and then shoot the first man who tried to halt his getaway. When he was captured his only other means of escape was suicide." Tovee said.
Sheriff Herbert Taylor and Officer Russell Northrup searched the cabin.
Following questioning of all eye witnesses to the shooting, Tovee commented that proof was all that was lacking in the search for the "big man."
SAYS NO QUARREL - Young Ponciano said last night that Schutrum had been in his bar both Monday and Tuesday but that he had not been in during the evening and that he quarreled with nobody.
It was learned yesterday that a call to the police station prior to the one made from the Chico Record had summoned Bruce and Jones to the scene. The first call merely had stated that "a policeman is wanted at Joe's Tamale Parlor." Record employees reported a shooting was in progress, but Jones and Bruce had left, not aware a man was wielding a gun.
Mark Williams, a bartender, who with Joe Silva attempted to subdue Schutrum, told Tovee yesterday that if Bruce has waited one minute longer before entering the parlor, there would have been no shooting.
NEEDED MORE TIME - "I believe that in that time I could have taken the gun from the man." Williams was quoted as saying.
The inquest will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the city hall it was announced last night by Deputy Coroner W.V. West following a conference with Sheriff Herbert Taylor.
FUNERAL IS SET - Funeral services for Bruce will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Harris Pillsbury of the Presbyterian church officiating. Burial will be in Chico cemetery.
Mrs. Mae Skinner, Pasadena, a sister of Schutrum, notified West yesterday that she would arrive in Chico today to make funeral arrangements.
(Chico Record, Feb. 24, 1938)
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