A. Willis Hammerle sustained fatal injuries saving George M. Devinney from being mortally wounded, Wheeling, West Virginia, November 29, 1913. Devinney, 52, police officer, entered a building to arrest an armed man, and the man started to draw his weapon. Devinney seized him, but the man drew the weapon and fired two shots, one of which inflicted a flesh wound in Devinney’s hip. Devinney called for help. Hammerle, 40, huckster, and another man were watching the struggle. Hammerle ran to Devinney and the assailant and grasped the assailant just as Devinney released him. Devinney ran from the building to a physician. Hammerle and the assailant struggled together for about 20 seconds, and then the assailant fired over his shoulder. Hammerle was behind the assailant, and the bullet entered his breast and passed downward through his body. The assailant freed himself, but he was captured in the building. Hammerle died of his injury during the following night. 12553-1058
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