On September 30th, 1939, Dayton Police Sergeant Lucius L. Rice was searching for a wanted felon when he suffered critical injuries from getting shot.

He and two officers were pursuing an out-of-state fugitive—suspected in a local murder—who they had tracked to an apartment. That’s where they found him hiding in a closet and ordered him to come out. But just then the suspect came bursting through the door firing a handgun, and hit Sergeant Rice in the abdomen. Despite being shot Rice was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who fled but was apprehended a few hours later.

Lucius died of his injuries five days later, on October 5th, 1939. One of the other officers was wounded but survived. The 24-year-old shooter was sentenced to death and executed a year later.

Sergeant Rice was 63 years old at the time of his death, and had served with the Dayton Police Department for 30 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Prior to joining the force Lucius had served with the Ohio National Guard. He was considered to be an exemplary officer, who over his long career had been critically injured three times, including twice in gun battles. He was the department’s second black patrolman, and its first to make sergeant. His wife was the department’s first black policewoman.