H Calkins Murder
Story in Pictures
Some of the highlights of the Chet Calkins murder story ap
pear on this special picture page. Impact of the sadistic murder
angered the residents of this little city of 3,050 persons, whose
police chief was ruthlessly slain in line of duty while the city
slept—the city he loved so well. Calkins’ body was riddled with
six shots while in his parked cruiser car. The gunner fired at
point-blank range. All shots pierced the general area of the upper
right chest. Calkins died instantly.
Walt Calkins (above), brother of the slain chief, discovered the
lifeless body in the front seat of a darkened car on Everett street.
Walt initially thought his brother had suffered a heart attack.
Later, at the mortuary it was discovered the body had been rid
dled with bullets.
This view of the front seat of the Calkins car shows where
O'Neill's veteran police officer died when five or six bullets were
fired into his body at close range. There was a splotch of blood
on the steering wheel, undetected until several hours after the
early morning murder.
The night of the murder the Shelhamer implement store was
robbed, gaining entrance by breaking a small pane (above) and
moving the bolt lock. Ten dollars in small change was taken
from two cash registers. Photo shows view of rear entrance.
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These were happier days for the Calkins family. Harold (left)
was home on leave from the navy daring World War II and Don
ald, now 18, was an O'Neill grade school pupil when they po&ed
with their father.
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Dr. L. A. Carter points to spot where the murder took place
in front of his garage, a half-block west of the doctor's combina
tion office-apartment. Doctor Carter was summoned, felt the.
uj chief's pulse, pronounced him dead. The killing took place near
the alley, little over 300 feet from O'Neill's principal street in
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Among five persons who reported seeing Chief Calkins ex- __
amining the rear trunk compartment of a 1951 Kaiser sometime
between 1 and 1:15 a.m. Friday were Richard Spittler (seated)
and LeRoy Boies, two Ewing youths. Ml
n
I friends of the police chief, anxious to mako a gesture in be
half of the family, began pouring money into the Chet Calkins
memorial fund. The move was sponsored by the Chamber of Com
merce. Receptacles were placed in stores and offices. At the J. M.
McDonald company store, while Assistant Manager Bill Moriar
ity and Manager Joe Stutx look on. Tommy Etherton, Marjorie
Norman and Gary Hoffman make their contributions.—World
Herald Photo.
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Police Chief Calkins' survivors include the
widow, two sons and one daughter. They are
pictured inside the small stucco Calkins home
in the southeast section of the city looking at
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the family photo albumn late Friday afternoon.
Left-to-right: Donald. Harold, Mrs. Calkins
and Mrs. Walter (Jean) Lyons.— World-Herald
Photo. *
•
Holt County Sheriff Leo S. Tomjack (left)
and Capt. Harold Smith (with telephone) began
began gruelling investigation into the slaying
from the sheriff's office in the courthouse. Offi
cers pressed the investigation for over 40 hours
without rest. In background is Holt Deputy
Sheriff James Mullen.
£
Dotted line and arrows show probable path
of cruiser car, turning west at corner of Fourth
and Everett streets. Authorities believe Cal
kins did a "U" turn in middle of the street after
spotting 1951 Kaiser parked on an angle, point
ing northwest. When Calkins turned around
he slopepd his car on the north side of the
road. This occured sometime after 1 a.m. Friday.
The chiefs dead body was discovered about 2
a.m.—World-Herald Photo.
Chel Calkins' friends are legion. Among the
many hundreds who paid respects to their be
loved police chief were these schoolboys: Jimmy
Rockford. 12. son of Mr. and Mrs. William Rock
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Wanser, and Dennis Tomlinson. 10, son of Mr.
and Mrs Dick Tomlinson. Jimmy is a public
school fifth grader; Larry and Dennis attend St.
Mary's academy, fifth and fourth grades, re'
