Charles Hensley, 47 years old, was shot twice in the early morning hours of May 13, 1919, when he discovered a burglary in progress in the alley extending north and south between Second and Third streets, near the Felix Street entrance. Officer Hensley discovered a man in the act of forcing an entrance to the building and went to investigate.
Officer Hensley's partner, Patrolman Grimes, remained at the street opening to prevent the escape of the suspect in that direction. When Officer Hensley demanded to know what the man was doing, the subject shot him twice and ran down the alley. Officer Hensley fired five rounds at the suspect before collapsing. Officer Grimes summoned assistance from the Central Police Station and Officer Hensley was taken to the hospital.
A man named John Howard was arrested on the afternoon of May 13, 1919, and was identified by the dying policeman as his assailant. A coat dropped at the scene of the shooting, along with a "searchlight" and "pincers" found near the scene were identified as belonging to Howard.
Howard confessed to the crime on May 14, 1919 after prolonged "sweating" by police detectives and he was charged with first degree murder. Officer Hensley was survived by a wife and two children.