Robert E. Drake
1876-1930
Robert Drake was originally from Kokomo, Indiana where he was employed as a silver plater and married in 1901. It isn’t known when he moved to Portland. At the time of his appointment he was employed as a street car motorman and living in Sellwood.
He was appointed to the Bureau in February, 1912 at the age of 35. He was partnered with officer Lander and they worked the lower north end of Portland, the “toughest beat in town.”
The Incident
Officer Drake was found on a pile of lumber at the base of a fifteen foot drop into an elevator shaft at 34 North Broadway. He had gone on duty in the evening of October 10, 1930, assigned to a different partner for the early morning. It appeared that he fell into the shaft around midnight, but wasn’t found until building employees discovered him the next morning. He was unconscious and died shortly afterwards.
He was 54 and survived by his wife and married daughter.
He was appointed to the Bureau in February, 1912 at the age of 35. He was partnered with officer Lander and they worked the lower north end of Portland, the “toughest beat in town.”
The Incident
Officer Drake was found on a pile of lumber at the base of a fifteen foot drop into an elevator shaft at 34 North Broadway. He had gone on duty in the evening of October 10, 1930, assigned to a different partner for the early morning. It appeared that he fell into the shaft around midnight, but wasn’t found until building employees discovered him the next morning. He was unconscious and died shortly afterwards.
He was 54 and survived by his wife and married daughter.