Patrolman John Skopek and Patrolman Elmer Ostling were shot and killed when they made a traffic stop of a speeding car on Washington Boulevard. Unbeknownst to both officers, the vehicle they had stopped had been stolen 3 weeks earlier and was being used in the commission of crimes.
Both officers approached the car on the passenger side and asked the two occupants to exit the vehicle. The two men stepped out and immediately produced revolver and opened fire. Both officers were shot several times and were only able to return fire one time each. Patrolman Skopek was killed instantly. Patrolman Ostling was taken Franklin Boulevard Hospital where he died a short time later. Both suspects were taken into custody a short time later.
