THE DEATH OF LOS ANGELES CITY POLICE CHIEF WILLIAM C. WARREN

One of the most tragic events to occure in the Los Angeles Police Department history was the shooting death of Chief William Crossman Warren. A respected and beloved man, Warren was a family man, peace officer and community leader who inspired the confidence and respect of the city. After surviving the violent 1850’s with its numerous shootings and record breaking murders, it was unbelievable that a Los Angeles City Chief would be killed by another Los Angeles Police Officer. Yet, that is what happened on October 31, 1871 near the corner of Spring and Temple Avenue. This was a result of a dispute between Chief William C. Warren and Police Officer Joseph Dye.
 

WILLIAM CROSSMAN WARREN

Born in Westport, New York, Warren came to Los Angeles in 1858 at about 22 years of age, leaving behind his mother and two sisters. About a year and a half later on December 6, 1860, Warren married Juana Lopez in the Catholic Church, presently located across from Olvera Street. The following year on December 4, 1861, Juana’s parents gave the newlyweds a piece of property with a house that bordered along Temple and Broadway Avenues.
 

Almost immediately upon arrival to Los Angeles, Warren became involved in law enforcement and displayed a natural ability to do Police work. The earliest record of Warren’s career in law enforcement was mentioned in the Los Angeles Star newspaper on March 5, 1859, where Warren, a police officer for the city of Los Angeles and H.E. Lewis, Under Sheriff of Los Angeles County pursued and arrested Wade Helm who was wanted for murder. Another entry in the Los Angeles Star dated July 23, 1859, reported that Warren, now a Deputy Sheriff, lead a small posse to search for a missing man. After several days of tracking, Warren’s attention was attracted to about fifty buzzards hovering over a ravine. Upon examination, he located the body of the missing man in the ravine and quickly organized an inquest to determine the cause of death.
 

In May 6 1865, Warren was elected Marshal for the City of Los Angeles. After being sworn in, he was given a certificate of appointment by the City Clerk. Initially, his work force consisted of two full time officers and two special police officers with a City Jailer. Police Officers received a $50.00 monthly salary while Warren received an $800.00 a year salary. Since one of the duties of the Chief was to collect the city taxes and fines, he was required to post a $3,000.00 bond to perform his duties.
 

By the late 1868’s the city began to grow in size and population. Consequently, Warren had increased the police force and added a horse detail to patrol the outer city limits. He also felt a need for an assistant to help with his responsibilities and on September 7, 1868, appointed Frank Baker as Deputy Marshal. Three months later, Warren lobbied for and received an increase of two additional officers to the force. This occurred on December 21, 1868. It is at this time that Joseph Dye was added to the Police Department as a regular full time paid Police Officer.
 

The increase of two additional police officers also came with a monthly salary of $75.00 which was a $25.00 increase. To better patrol the outskirts of the city limits, a horse detail or “mounted unit” was officially activated on July 7, 1870. The officers however, were to provide their own horses for the position.
 

JOSEPH F. DYE

Joseph Dye began his career for the Los Angeles Police Department as a “Special Police Officer.” This position was officially created on February 4, 1861, when the Mayor recommended the appointment of a Special Police Officer to assist the Marshal. As a result, the City Council gave the Mayor authority to appoint a Special Police Officer with a monthly compensation not to exceed $60.00.
 

As a Special Police Officer, Dye did not enjoy the public support for long. We find for instance, in the City Council minutes on February 5, 1867, that a petition was presented to remove Special Police Officer J. Dye from the force. After some consideration however, Dye was allowed to continue in his position until November 8, 1867, when he finally resigned as a Special Police Officer.
 

His appointment to the police force a year later created a controversy with the citizens of the city. Major Horace Bell a former Los Angeles Ranger, made the following comment:
 

“With the aide of the Spanish speaking population, the Republicans elected Billy Warren City Marshal. Billy Warren wanted one more policeman to add to the force, then numbering six. He came to me about it and I named Jack Rhodes, who had been a gallant member of the second Illinois Calvary, and with whom I had served.”
 

“Did this produce a sensation? You can imagine! Joe Dye, a noted man killer, was a member of the Police force, and he began to brow beat and insult Warren because of this appointment, and two years later the feud thus engendered ended in Dye killing Warren.”
 

While witnesses later testified that Dye was a peaceable man, he did have a few questionable skirmishes. On January 19, 1870, for instance Dye arrested a horse thief by the name of J.T. Long, age 24 from Louisiana. Dye ended up killing him while bringing him back to the city jail. Dye stating that Long tried to escape.
 

Other details on Officer Dye are reported in the Los Angeles Star newspaper as follows;

“Quite a lively chase and some fast running was done by officer Bryant, after three men who were amusing themselves by throwing rocks at a door in Negro Alley, night before last; seeing the approach of the officer, they ran their level best around the plaza, and dodging down Sanchez street, ran into the arms of the Policeman Dye, who captured one of them. The other two are supposed to be still running.”
 

The last commentary of Dye’s police work was reported in the Los Angeles Star newspaper on September 20, 1870. It was reported that officer Dye broke up a fight and arrested two individuals before they could hurt themselves. From contemporary sources it can be established that Dye had two sides to his personality. One was law abiding while at the same time having a mean temper that would cross him with his own law enforcement partners.
 

THE CITY JAIL

The city jail in 1870 was described as follows;
 

“The city departments were in a long one story adobe building on Spring Street, corner of Jail Street, afterwards Franklin. The lot in the rear of the city building, extending back to New High Street, was enclosed with a high board fence, and in the middle of the lot, a small, two story brick building like a block house, with grated windows, was the jail, or “calaboose,” as it was commonly called. It served for both city and county purposes.”

“About the middle of the adobe building on Spring Street there was an open door and a narrow passage way extending back to the jail yard. The inner end of this passage was guarded by a stout door, with a little peep-hole through it that enabled the jailer to open up sufficiently to inspect any party seeking admission. Jailer Thompson’s family occupied the portion of the building from the passage way south, to Jail Street.”
 

Nadeau, an early Los Angeles historian, further describes the court and City Hall as follows:
 

“At the corner of Spring and Jail Streets, on a spot just south of the main entrance to the present City Hall, one of these squat adobes constituted the first Los Angeles “City Hall.” Within its whitewashed, tobacco-splattered walls, in dingy, smoked filled rooms, the City Council sat on wooden benches, the Mayor held morning court for the drunk and disorderly, and the town’s three policemen made their headquarters.”
 

THE SHOOTING
 

The circumstances leading up to this event began in June of 1870, when Chief Warren planned to run for re-election. Warren asked his friend, John P. Gabriel to support him in the upcoming election. Gabriel stated that it would depend on who ran on the other side. Warren then asked him who Police Officer Dye, a mutual friend, was going to vote for as Marshal in the election. Gabriel stated that Dye would probably vote Democrat as he always does. Chief Warren, a Republican, felt betrayed at the suggestion that Dye would not vote for him. After all, Warren had endorsed Dye and had him appointed to the force despite public protest. Although Dye was a noted killer and a bit heavy handed, Warren probably felt it was necessary to have someone like Dye handling the violent criminal element that plagued the city.

Warren replied, “If Joe Dye ever crooks his finger at me, I’ll shoot him like a dog!” Alarmed by this statement Gabriel sought out Dye and warned him of Warren’s anger and threat.
 

A few months later, a female Chinese prostitute named Sing Lo fled town with a Chinese man, taking along with her lots of jewelry from her owner, Ah Jo. With a one hundred dollar reward for the arrest of Sing Lo, Chief Warren and Officer Redonda tracked her to Wilmington, then to Anaheim and finally to the town of San Buena Ventura. Upon arrival to that city, the two officers caught up to the suspect, who had been arrested by the local marshal and was in custody awaiting their arrival.
 

Officer Dye who stayed in town, had apparently sent a telegraph from Los Angeles to the Constable in San Buena Ventura, supplying the Constable with information about the fugitive Chinese woman and requested her detention.
 

On October 31, 1871, at 2 P.M. in the afternoon, Chief Warren, and Officer Redonda returned to Los Angeles with their prisoner and placed her in jail to await trial. While at their office Officer Dye confronted Warren about the reward money. Officer Dye asked for the reward money and reasoned that since he had telegraphed the local Marshall in San Buena Ventura causing the suspects arrest, he was entitled to the reward money.

Warren however, becoming angry replied that only he and Redonda, was entitled to the money. Warren and Redonda were the ones who had physically tracked the suspect throughout the Southland, not Dye.
 

At this point, the discussion ended and they walked across the street to Justice Trafford’s court to arraign the prisoner and collect the reward money. While in the court office, Warren advised Major Horace Bell, who was seated in the back of the court room, of the argument between he and Dye respective of the arrest of the Chinese woman. After about thirty minutes in court, Warren and Redonda walked out of the courtroom with the reward money and their prisoner who was to return to jail.
 

As Warren and Redonda walked out of the courtroom, Dye followed them. Richard Kerrn (a citizen who later testified in court of the event) and another person walked behind following Dye out of the courtroom. Warren probably expected trouble, because he took out his Derringer from his pants pocket as he exited the courtroom.
 

Dye stopped as he exited the courthouse and stood on the sidewalk. This action made Richard Kerrn walk around him. Dye called out to the Chief yelling, “Warren, Oh, Warren.” At this point the group stopped in the middle of the street, approximately 20 to 30 feet from Dye. Warren turned around toward Dye. Officer Dye stepped off the sidewalk and walked up to the Warren, stopping three feet from him. At this point everyone fanned out with Warren in the middle standing with the female prostitute, Officer Redonda stood to Warren’s left and Richard Kerrn positioned himself to Warren’s right.
 

Dye was wearing a short coat, which partially covered his gun. He was also holding a cane with a handle on top. When Dye met Warren in the middle of the street, he placed the cane in front of him and leaned onto it with both hands. Warren in contrast held his derringer in his left hand and concealed it from Dye by holding it behind his back. Dye, unaware of the derringer, continued his argument stating, “Warren, I want you to give me the money of which you have robbed me.” Warren responded, “Dye, I know you want to fight.” Dye replied, “It matters not that you are a City Marshal, I want you to give me the money you have robbed from me. You have wronged me and defrauded me out of my rights, and if you don’t do me right, I will have my rights. I will expose you before the Courts ofJjustice.”
 

Chief Warren angrily replied, “If you say that I have defrauded you out of your rights, you are a damned dirty liar!” Richard Kerrn, now sensing a gun battle was about to occure, ran toward Justice Trafford’s courtroom for cover. With the words “damned dirty liar” Dye straightened up and let go of his cane with his right hand, but still held it with his left hand. Warren simultaneously, pulled out his derringer from behind his back and fired one round directly into Dyes head from approximately one yard away. The bullet struck Dye over his left eyebrow causing a burn mark on Dye’s forehead.
 

Dye had no time to react with his weapon, which was still holstered. Dye’s head tilted backwards as his body turned to his right while at the same time staggered backwards. At this point, Dye pulled out his weapon; however, Warren shot a second bullet from his derringer, missing Dye. Warren then drew his six shooter with his right hand to continue shooting at Dye.
 

Dye finally drew his weapon and began firing back at Warren. Completely exposed and standing in the middle of the street, Warren at this time quickly jumped behind Officer Redonda for cover and fired several more rounds at Dye. In order to avoid being hit by a bullet, Dye dodged from side to side. He finally stopped and at that point they both fired a round simultaneously at each other. Warren was struck in the Pelvis area and exclaimed, “I am killed!” One of Dye’s other bullets struck Warren’s silver pocket watch (which was discovered still lodged inside the pocket watch at the coroner’s inquest). Now mortally wounded, Warren dropped both of his weapons and fell to the ground, landing in a seated position. From this position Warren picked up his revolver and extended the pistol in front of him with both hands.
 

Fearing that Warren was going to fire another round, Dye rushed Warren. While running toward Warren, Dye had raised his pistol as if to strike Warren but, instead tackled Warren to the ground. Both of them tried to shoot each other, but were stopped by Major Horace Bell and others. Bell pulled Dye off of Warren momentarily however; Dye broke loose and again jumped on top of Warren. On his second attempt Bell successfully pulled Dye off of Warren while Richard Kerrn, with the help of a few others, lifted Warren off the ground and carried him to nearby Raphael’s Paint Shop. Officer Redonda meanwhile, picked up Marshal Warren’s pistol, which was lying in the middle of the street, and gave it to Judge Tafford, who was standing nearby
 

Warren was immediately treated by Doctor H.S. Orme, who determined that Warren was shot in the right groin, with the bullet striking the spine, then ricocheted downward and inward. The other fatal bullet was lodged in his pelvis.
 

During the shooting, three bystanders were also wounded. Officer Redonda was shot through the arm above the elbow. Officer Hester, who was standing among the bystanders, was shot in the hand. A Chinese man, who was standing in the street at the time of this incident, was seriously wounded.
 

The following day, on November 1, 1871 at a quarter past 9 A.M., William Crossman Warren died in his home as a result of a gun shot wound. Only 34 years of age, Warren was the first full time Los Angeles Police Chief to die in the line of duty.
 

The Los Angeles Star newspaper printed,
 

“Marshal Warren was one of the most capable efficient and successful officers in the State. By his death the city of Los Angeles sustains a great loss and her citizens have cause to mourn the death of a man who did his duty.”
 

THE COURT TRIAL

James Thompson (a local Rancher) and R.J. Wolf, (Saloonkeeper and future Police Chief for Los Angeles) posted $2,500 bail for Joseph Dye. In the subsequent trial, the prosecution did not call Joseph Dye to testify. Instead, they called John Gabrial as a witness to establish a motive for the shooting by Marshal Warren. Joel Turner was called as an independent witness. Horace Bell testified that Warren advised him in the courtroom of the argument and differences between Dye and Warren. Officer Redonda stated he had observed Warren arming himself with the derringer as they exited the courtroom. The last to testify was Richard Kerrn who witnessed the entire incident and corroborated the previous testimony.
 

The defense declined to introduce any testimony and asked the court to advise the jury to acquit the defendant. After a brief review of the facts the jury returned with the following verdict, “We the undersigned jurors in the above case find the prisoner not guilty of the crime as charged in the indictment.” At this point Joseph Dye was discharged from the court with his bail exonerated.
 

THE FUNERAL

Funeral services for Chief Warren took place on November 2, 1870. A hearse carried the body of Chief Warren from the church where he was married, to his grave. Approximately one hundred carriages filled with mourners and friends followed the hearse along with a large body of horsemen riding side by side.
 

On November 5, 1870, a Special Session of the City Council was held to discuss replacement of Chief Warren and to pay their last respects to a dedicated law officer and family man. In the Los Angeles City Archives, one can find printed in the minutes of the City Council, the following resolution:
 

Council Resolution on the Death of Chief Warren:
 

Whereas, it is meet and proper that the Mayor and the Common Council of the City of Los Angeles should pass a resolution on the death of a member of the municipal authority of this city. Thereby, expressing our sympathy to which the deceased was entitled to and,
 

Whereas, W.C. Warren who died in this City on the First of November 1870 was at the time of his death and for many years previous, the City Marshal of the Corporation of the City of Los Angeles, which office he fulfilled faithfully and honestly and therefore;
 

Resolved that in the death of W.C. Warren, the city has lost an able and efficient officer of the state, a good citizen and his family a tender husband and a kind parent.
 

Resolved that we deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased in this their sad bereavement.

Resolved that in token of esteem in which the deceased was held by the municipal authorities of this city, these resolutions be spread on the minutes of the common council enclosed in black linen.
 

Resolved that a copy of these resolutions properly engraved, to be forwarded under seal of this council to the widow of the deceased, counter signed by the President of the Board and the Common Council.
 

With the numerous gunfights that occurred in the streets of the city no one expected two sworn police officers shooting it out between themselves. Especially with a Chief that served the city well for over ten years. One thing is for sure, the citizens of this city have a history and tradition of paying their last respects to their officers who are killed in the line of duty. They seem to understand and appreciate the daily sacrifice their officers do on a daily basis. Finally, as I read of the contributions that this officer did for the city of Los Angeles and as I read the high esteem expressed by the City Council from the City Archives, it is equally tragic that this officer’s name is not inscribed on our memorial along with our other fallen brother officers.

 

A FINAL NOTE ON JOSEPH DYE

Three years after this tragic event, Joseph Dye would have a similar confrontation with Los Angeles County Sheriff William R. Rowland. On this incident we find the following story:
 

“Late in 71’ Billy Rowland ran for sheriff against James F. Burns and won the office in a hot campaign. With his flowing mustache and goatee he looked the part, but during the campaign for reelection in 1873 he found these standard features could prove a disadvantage to a sheriff.
 

Joseph F. Dye, whose efficient trigger had already felled a city marshal three years before, was passing misleading statements on Rowland’s political efforts. The irate sheriff brought him to account one day in front of the Orient Saloon on Main Street near Temple.
 

“Dye,” he began, “I have heard that you have been talking about me.”
 

During the ensuing argument Rowland struck at Dye with his fist and told him he lied. He found himself seized by his handsome beard, covered with a cocked revolver, and ordered to “take it back.” Rowland gripped Dye’s wrist and gazed coolly into his eyes while the gathering crowd waited for the sheriff’s answer.
 

“I have nothing to take back.” He said.
 

Dye’s bluff was called; he could not pull the trigger, and Rowland made his insult stand. In a minute an officer ran up and separated them, forcing Dye away, and secured his gun. The action was over and Billy Rowland was still sheriff of Los Angeles County. Nadeau,City Makers, 1965, page 95.

Joseph Dye incidentally, was killed by his nephew a few years after this incident. Harris Newmark records, “He himself was killed by a Nephew, Mason Bradfield, whose life he had frequently threatened and who fired the deadly bullet from a window of the New Arlington Hotel, formerly the White House, at the southeast corner of Commercial and Los Angeles Streets.”

 

By: Roberto Alaniz Jr.