Charles F. Schoppe
1832 – 1874
Charles Schoppe was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1848. By the early 1860’s he had settled in the booming mining town of Auburn, Oregon just southwest of Baker City. By 1864 the town had decreased from 6,000 to 150 people and Schoppe moved to the Portland area with his family. It appears that he became involved with the saloon business, obtaining tobacco and liquor licenses in 1868 and 71.
In 1871 Charles was hired as a Portland policeman, filling in for an officer who was on extended leave. His appointment soon became permanent.
The Incident
By 1874 Schoppe had been with the Bureau for almost three years. We can only guess at the reasons, but on the evening of June 13, 1874, around 9:30 p.m., Charles was on his way to the police station to turn in his badge. He had just accepted a job as a county jailer.
He was on his beat at Oak and First, just a block east of the police station, when he heard a gunshot from the Cozy Saloon just across the street. Robert Gibbens had just shot at a woman who then ran out of the saloon, calling for the police. Schoppe ran to the saloon and pushed open the folding entrance doors. Gibbens immediately fired at him, the bullet entering just under his raised right arm.
Schoppe, mortally wounded, closed on Gibbens and struck him three times on the head with his club. Both fell, with the officer pinning Gibbens to the floor. Schoppe died moments later, without saying a word.
Gibbens was arrested by a number of officers and Chief Lappeus and taken to the police station. He was carrying the pistol, 100 bullets and a bottle of chloroform. A local carpenter, he was described as a good man but dangerous when drinking. Found guilty later the same month for first degree murder, the charge was dropped to second degree for lack of pre-meditation. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and released nine years later.
Schoppe was 42 and survived by his wife and two children.
In 1871 Charles was hired as a Portland policeman, filling in for an officer who was on extended leave. His appointment soon became permanent.
The Incident
By 1874 Schoppe had been with the Bureau for almost three years. We can only guess at the reasons, but on the evening of June 13, 1874, around 9:30 p.m., Charles was on his way to the police station to turn in his badge. He had just accepted a job as a county jailer.
He was on his beat at Oak and First, just a block east of the police station, when he heard a gunshot from the Cozy Saloon just across the street. Robert Gibbens had just shot at a woman who then ran out of the saloon, calling for the police. Schoppe ran to the saloon and pushed open the folding entrance doors. Gibbens immediately fired at him, the bullet entering just under his raised right arm.
Schoppe, mortally wounded, closed on Gibbens and struck him three times on the head with his club. Both fell, with the officer pinning Gibbens to the floor. Schoppe died moments later, without saying a word.
Gibbens was arrested by a number of officers and Chief Lappeus and taken to the police station. He was carrying the pistol, 100 bullets and a bottle of chloroform. A local carpenter, he was described as a good man but dangerous when drinking. Found guilty later the same month for first degree murder, the charge was dropped to second degree for lack of pre-meditation. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and released nine years later.
Schoppe was 42 and survived by his wife and two children.