Age: 38
Served: 7 years
1913 to June 25, 1920
On June 25, 1920, a domestic disturbance at the Bolin House on North B Street, near Two Mile Creek, involving an attack on a woman was reported to Hamilton Police. According to the report, a woman was being dragged about by her hair. Captain Joseph Cahill and other officers responded, but there was no indication of any problem and admittance was refused.
About 7:20 a.m. on the morning of June 25, 1920, Sergeant Stegemann of 12 South D Street, Chief of Detectives Herman Dulle, and Detective Edward Riley responded back to follow up on the report and assure the safety of whatever women they might find there. Eli Bolin, the owner, met them on the sidewalk and Detective Riley interviewed him while Chief Dulle and Sergeant Stegemann entered the home. Chief Dulle looked around on the first floor and Sergeant Stegemann went upstairs.
When Sergeant Stegemann stepped into an upstairs room he was met by James Bolin (32) pointing a pump shotgun at him. Sergeant Stegemann yelled to Chief Dulle, “Cap, come here!” pulled his sidearm, and started backing up. As Chief Dulle rushed to the stairs, Sergeant Stegemann was backing down the steps and Bolin pulled the trigger shooting Sergeant Stegemann in the center of his chest. Sergeant Stegemann fired a round from his revolver. He fell backward into Chief Dulle, who eased him to the floor.
Bolin advanced on Chief Dulle who grabbed the barrel of the shotgun. Chief Dulle, revolver in hand, shot James Bolin in his left side and then saw James’s brother, Lee Bolin, aiming a revolver at him. Chief Dulle pulled James Bolin close to himself as Lee Bolin fired two shots and returned fire at Lee Bolin. Then, the Bolins’ sister, Mrs. Sarah Cornett, crossed between them and retrieved James Bolin’s shotgun.
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