1927

July 30, 1927
Automobile Accident at Labranch and Elgin

DOB –10/29/1876, 50
Badge –
Final Resting Place - East Sandy, New Waverly, TX

Short Call Officer R.Q. Wells was fatally injured on Saturday morning, July 30, 1927, when he and Officer M.A. Gresham were answering a call in the 2000 block of Arbor Street. A call which told the police desk sergeant briefly that there was "a shooting at 2008 Arbor" sent Officers Wells and Gresham on a dash to the scene.

At the "blind corner" of Elgin and LaBranch, an ice truck crossed in front of the police car. Gresham, who was driving, said he tried to swing in front of the truck, but seeing that would mean a crash, he swung again to the left. The front fender of the police car struck a rear wheel of the truck and the police auto was snapped around. It overturned several times and pinned Wells beneath it. The truck also overturned, but R.W. Alexander, the driver, was uninjured.

Officer Gresham was shaken considerably but not injured sufficiently to go to the hospital. He called an ambulance for his injured comrade and taken reported to police headquarters. The driver of the ice truck was detained by police for questioning but was later released. Officer R.O. Wells died later of injuries received at the accident.

Officer Wells was well liked by his fellow officers and many felt a great loss at his death. Officer R.Q. Wells is survived by his wife, Mrs. Wells; sons, Alvin and David; brother, John Wells; and sister, Mrs. Fannie Osburn.

Source – Houston Police Department Museum Files