Fred Shot Dead
Calaveras County, California
Constable Samuel Holman, who was shot and killed in 1901, will now have his name added to a memorial plaque in Sacramento along-side other peace officers who have died in the line of duty.
Two men, Fred Brown and Lewis Dibble, were traveling in a buggy through Calaveras County. They claimed to be painters, and “procured some wine” in Camanche.
The men then hid in a shed to escape a storm. The homeowner confronted them, but then agreed to let the men stay until the storm had passed.
Later, a man by the name of William Wallace was confronted by Brown as he passed by the shed. Brown and Dibble then proceeded to steel Wallace’s “rig” and a jug of whiskey. They also offered Wallace some of the whiskey they had just stolen from him.
Holman, who was passing by the scene on his way home from Camanche, intervened.
The reports are sketchy, but it is reported that Holman and Dibble began to argue. A witness reported hearing Holman yell, “You can’t insult me.”
Holman then left the scene to gather reinforcement. He returned with a shotgun and revolver.
Holman attempted to arrest Dibble on the house porch. A report of the incident describes that, “The whole tragedy was enacted in darkness.”
Witnesses report hearing a series of gun shots, at which time Holman cried out, “I’m shot.” Holman was able to fire at Brown after being hit.
Holman was fatally wounded, but he did live long enough to return to his wife and son and give an “affectionate farewell.” He died two hours after the incident.
Investigators returned to the scene to find Brown dead of a gunshot wound. It is believed that the shot was from Holman’s gun, but it could have possibly been from Dibble as well. Dibble was arrested for another crime but was never charged with Holman’s death.
Holman’s grave was found in a cemetery on the outskirts of Camanche.