Three police officers were killed at Macomb in a gun battle with Edwin Vrell, a Canton bandit, who was instantly killed by one of the wounded officers as he attempted a mad dash for liberty in the police car in which he had been taken to the police station for questioning, following his suspicious actions near a business house in that city late Saturday night.
The dead are: Edward Whittelsey, 60, veteran policeman, Ernest [film scratched … illegible] Links, 55, patrolman, and Edwin Vrell, 28, slain, desperado. Luther Jackson, officer, slightly wounded.
Vrell’s suspicious actions Saturday night at 11:00 o’clock, resulted in a call to the police station. Officers Whittelsey, Bowman and Links responded with the police car. They took Vrell into custody. A search of the man, revealed a small pinch bar concealed under his arm pit. He was taken to the police station. As officer Whittelsey emerged from the car he was followed by Vrell who shot Whittelsey with a concealed gun which he drew. Bowman who was in the rear seat was next shot. He fell mortally wounded in the car. Links, the other officer, was next shot in the groin, the bullet ranging upwards. Attracted by the shots, Officer Jackson came running out from the station. As he stepped out of the door, the gunman fired the last of nine shots at him. Two shots grazed his head and the third striking him the left hand. Vrell jumped into the car and dashed down the street with Bowman, unconscious in the rear seat. He had not driven far until Bowman regained consciousness. Grabbing his gun, he shot Vrell in the back of the head. Four bullets were fired into the desperado’s back, whose grip on the steering wheel loosened and the driverless car crashed after going a short distance.
Officer Bowman died Saturday night and Links died Monday evening.
Mrs. Nellie Munson, 23, of Canton, with whom the slain bandit is said to have lived, was arrested Sunday and it is said she confessed to having participated in the kidnapping of Aviator Anderson a few weeks ago near Roseville where they had been and made an unsuccessful attempt to rob a garage. On their way to Bushnell their car was wrecked and they started to walk. Anderson overtook them and invited them to ride with him. She got into the front seat and Vrell into the back. she says Vrell asked Anderson if he wanted to live and he replied that he did and promised to do what Vrell wanted. The car was stopped and Vrell tied Anderson’s hands and feet. Driving to Canton, she got out and Vrell drove away. She went to their room where it is claimed they lived as man and wife. A few hours later Vrell returned and showed her about $200 which he took from Anderson.
Mrs. Munson was taken to Macomb where she identified Vrell’s body, Sunday night. From there she was taken to Monmouth and lodged in jail on the charge of kidnapping.
Vrell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Vrell of Canton, a well respected family. He is survived by two brothers and one sister. For many years, it is said, he caused his relatives much grief. He had spent eleven years of his life in penal institutions.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus