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Othello Lee Stringer
Incident
Location: Indiana Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to life
Special Agent Lee Stringer was shot and killed when he interrupted several people stealing coal from a train along the Belt Branch railroad tracks just east of Martindale Avenue (modern-day Dr Andrew J Brown Avenue).
The subjects scattered when Special Agent Stringer interrupted them, leaving a wheelbarrow full of coal behind. After replacing the coal onto the train, Special Agent Stringer and his brother, who had accompanied him, were walking the wheelbarrow back to the yard office when someone opened fire on them from behind in the 2100 block of Yandes Street. Special Agent Stringer was shot three times and killed.
Two men, 20 and 22, were arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. Both were denied parole in 1935. In 1937 one had his sentence commuted to 18 years. He was told if he behaved he would be released in 1938.
Special Agent Stringer had been sworn in with the Lake Erie and Western Railroad Police Department the previous days but had previously served with the Indianapolis Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Special Agent Stringer gave the Lake Erie and Western Railroad Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Stringer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Othello is the only officer of Lake Erie and Western Railroad Police Department remembered here.
Othello is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Othello is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Othello is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 6 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Othello was 37. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Othello had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Othello was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Othello had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Othello was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Othello had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 5.5% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lake Erie and Western Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lake Erie and Western Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.