On 8 July, 1942 Sgt. Overberg was the first, and only, Norwood Police Officer killed inthe line of duty. Sgt. Overberg volunteered to work at Lawsons Drug Store on Franklin Ave. after a string of robberies in the area.On 8 July, 1942 Sgt. Overberg was the first, and only, Norwood Police Officer killed inthe line of duty. Sgt. Overberg volunteered to work at Lawsons Drug Store on Franklin Ave. after a string of robberies in the area.
Sgt. Overberg arrived at Lawsons Drug Store, at appx. 10:00 p.m. on 8 July, 1942 and was posted in the rear of the store.At appx. 10:17 the suspect entered the store and demanded money from Mr. Lawson. Mr. Lawson led the suspect to the rearof the store and allerted Sgt. Overberg of the situation. When the suspect confronted Sgt. Overberg, displaying a .45 caliber handgun.Sgt. Overberg tackled the suspect and struggled with him for control of the weapon. One shot was fired, almost striking the suspect, and the suspect lost control of his .45 handgun.
In a desparate attempt to escape, the suspect managed to gain control of Sgt. Overbergs revolver. During that struggle, Sgt. Overberg was shot three times by the suspect and the suspect fled thescene with Sgt. Overbergs revolver and $8.00 in cash.
Sgt. Overberg was critically wounded and died later that evening atGood Samaritan Hospital, leaving behind a wife and two small children.
After a long investigation, with a $2000 reward postedfor any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect, officers were directed to Louisville, Ky. to speakwith Louise Carter, the suspects wife. On orders from Chief Fritz, Detectives Merideth Docum and Lee Kiley responded by train. As the detectives knocked on her door, she knew immediately why they were there and fainted after the Detectives identified themselves as Officersfrom Norwood.
Louise immediately admitted that she knew of the incident and informed the detectives of Franks confession to her. She explained, in detail, how things happened the night of Sgt. Overbergs death. She stated that she was dating Frank Carter at the time and he had dropped her off at the movie theatre. She explained how he smelled ofvanilla extract when he picked her up and that he had a cut on his leg. This coincided with the fact that a bottleof vanilla extract was broken during the suspects struggle between the two. She also provided the detectives with Sgt. Overbergs revolver, which Mr. Carter still maintained possession of at their home.
On 24 January, 1945, Frank Carter, a Sailor in the Navy, was arrested inChicago Il. on a murder warrant for the robbery and slaying of Sgt. Overberg. Frank Carter admitted to the charges andstated "that policeman was the bravest man I ever saw" as he explained how Sgt. Overberg lunged at him while facing a .45caliber handgun aimed at him. After committing over 250 robberies and enlisting in the Navy, Frank Carter was tried,convicted, and sentenced to die by electrocution. On 8 November, 1945 Frank Carter was executed by the electric chair atthe Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus Ohio.