Officer Corbett’s Mile‑Long March with Three Burglars
Early this morning, Officer J. H. Corbett of the Norwood Police displayed remarkable nerve and quick judgment when he single‑handedly captured three men attempting to break into the Winslow railroad station.
Armed with a loaded revolver, Corbett marched the trio—handcuffed together—more than a mile to the Norwood Police Station, warning that any attempt to escape would be met with deadly force. None dared to test him.
The suspects, later identified as William J. Day, 28, of Chicago; Harry Dowd, 30; and James J. Ryan, 27, of Lowell, were found carrying two cameras, several packages of cigars and cigarettes, and $17 in small change. A fully loaded .38‑caliber revolver was discovered in Ryan’s pocket.
Corbett had spotted the men near the Midland Division tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and watched as one began prying at the station door with a chisel. He ordered them to raise their hands, chained them together, and escorted them to the station house without incident.
At Dedham District Court, Ryan was convicted of carrying a loaded revolver and sentenced to three months in the House of Correction, pending appeal. All three pleaded not guilty to attempted breaking and entering, with their cases continued to April 28. Bail was set at $500 each, plus $300 for Ryan’s appeal.
Chief W. A. Readel commended Officer Corbett for his courage and composure, noting that the prisoners may be linked to other burglaries in the region.
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