Badge: 231
Age: 60
Served: 21 years
June 19, 1886 to October 8, 1907
OFFICER
Anton was born December 22, 1846 in Bavaria to Frank and Margaret Bachman. The family, including his siblings, immigrated to the United States through Le Havre, France traveling on Wm B Travis and arrived in New York City on September 18, 1854. During the 1860s they resided in Colerain Township and worked a family farm.
Anton married Rosa Ernst in 1867. Between then and 1887, they had seven children, Annie, John, Anton, Caroline, Emma, Lena (Helen), and Clara. From 1876 to 1886, he worked as a Butcher and the family lived at 943 Central Avenue, 851 Central Avenue, 631 Elm Street, and 789 Central Avenue.
Anton’s brother, Frank Bachman, was also a butcher until he joined the Cincinnati Police Department in 1875 and continued to 1882.
Anton had also served as a Special Policeman when he was nominated for the position of Patrolman for the Cincinnati Police Department on June 9, 1886. He was approved and took the oath of office on June 19, 1886.
By October 1907, he was a widower, lived at 2015 Victor Street, and had served more than 21 years as a patrolman. Just a quick search. Anton Bachman came to this country from Bavaria thru Le Havre, France on the ship Wm B Travis, arriving in NYC on 9/18/1854. He traveled with his parents, Frank and Margaret and siblings.
MURDERER
Peter Garrety in 1906 and 1907 worked as a plumber living at 753 West Fifth Street. Garrety plumbing, located at 605 West Sixth Street, was run by Edward and John Garrety who also lived at 753 West Fifth Street.
DEATH
Patrol 4 transported Patrolman Bachman to City Hospital where it was found that a bullet had passed through his heart and another had penetrated his helmet and creased his head. There were also marks made on his head from the butt of Garrety’s revolver and bruises all over his body. He died soon thereafter.
Patrolman Bachman was survived by his children, John Bachman (39), Anna M. Villner (37), Carrie Kiehborth (34), Emma Donovan (30), Lena Bachman (23), Helen Bachman (22), and Clara Bachman (21); and grandchildren, Florence Bachman (12) and Charles H. Toepfer, Jr. (7). He was buried October 11, 1907, at 4 p.m. in Spring Grove Cemetery.
JUSTICE
When Patrolman Bachman died, the charge against Garrety was changed to Murder.
Garrety was indicted on November 22, 1907. Despite the viciousness of the murder, on December 20, 1907, he was permitted to plead guilty to Manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Judge James Swing, Prosecutor Rulison, and defense attorneys Thomas Darby and H.L. Cooper all considered this to be equivalent to a life sentence. It was not.
On February 10, 1911, having served little more than three years, Garrety was paroled. Conditions of his parole were that he must stay in Columbus and avoid alcohol. Governor Cox then pardoned him on September 9, 1913, less than six years after the ambush. He moved back to Cincinnati before 1920 and died in 1935 of natural causes.
EPILOGUE
Patrolman Bachman was the third Cincinnati patrolman killed in six months; the others two being Patrolmen Carl Hauck and William Satters. Also, Patrolmen Botts and Morton were shot at during this time. Agitation arose among the policemen of the Fourth District. Quality revolvers were finally adopted for Patrolmen to carry and Patrolman were doubled up to walk their beats. They remained doubled up until 1923 when that was discontinued due to financial cutbacks.
One of Patrolman Bachman’s great-grandchildren is Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Robert P. Ruehlman.
If you know of any information, artifacts, archives, or images regarding this officer or incident, please contact the Museum at Memorial@Police-Museum.org.
© This narrative was researched and written September 30, 2012, by Cincinnati Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Kramer (Retired), Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Executive Director. All rights are reserved to him and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.