Commonwealth v. Duerr

Opinion by

Baldrige, P. J.,

William. O. Duerr, the Chief of Police of Stowe Township, Allegheny County, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. This appeal, taken after sentence was imposed, raises inter alia the question of the right of this police officer, attempting to make an arrest without a warrant, to shoot and kill two persons whom he suspected of being felons, but who were, in fact, innocent.

An officer, whose duties include the preservation of the peace and the prevention of crimes, is under the peculiar protection of the law, but in the discharge of his official duties he must act…