Ralph H. Stahl
1871-1915
Originally from Kansas, he lived there until 1905 and was employed as a farmer. His wife Flora, died in Portland in 1912.
Stahl was appointed March 13, 1907, and made Sergeant in 1911. He was known as one of the most valuable men in the department and was noted for his boldness and daring. His specialty was finding “holdup men.”
The Incident
Sergeant Ralph Stahl liked to test the night shift patrolmen under his command. For several months the emphasis had been on identifying and apprehending stolen vehicles. Sometime after midnight on January 27, 1915, Sgt. Stahl dressed in plain clothes and began driving a recovered stolen car in downtown Portland. Just before 1:00 am, an officer saw the vehicle driving west on Yamhill just past Park.
The patrolman shouted at the driver to stop, but the car continued to drive up the street. Following standard practice of the time, the officer shot at the rear tire of the car. The bullet ricocheted off of a manhole cover and struck Sgt Stahl. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he died a few hours later.
Stahl was 44. His three daughters were taken in by a fellow officer Lt. Harms and his wife.
Stahl was appointed March 13, 1907, and made Sergeant in 1911. He was known as one of the most valuable men in the department and was noted for his boldness and daring. His specialty was finding “holdup men.”
The Incident
Sergeant Ralph Stahl liked to test the night shift patrolmen under his command. For several months the emphasis had been on identifying and apprehending stolen vehicles. Sometime after midnight on January 27, 1915, Sgt. Stahl dressed in plain clothes and began driving a recovered stolen car in downtown Portland. Just before 1:00 am, an officer saw the vehicle driving west on Yamhill just past Park.
The patrolman shouted at the driver to stop, but the car continued to drive up the street. Following standard practice of the time, the officer shot at the rear tire of the car. The bullet ricocheted off of a manhole cover and struck Sgt Stahl. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he died a few hours later.
Stahl was 44. His three daughters were taken in by a fellow officer Lt. Harms and his wife.