The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
DERBY How chief of cops cheated death in 1911
Facebook post recounts the tale of Danny O’Dell
Derby police posted on its Facebook page Friday an amazing story of how a Derby police chief escaped death in February 1911.
It’s the story of Danny O’Dell. “Daniel T. O'Dell who was the Chief of Police for Derby had a miraculous escape from a bullet while serving the Police Department. Chief O'Dell was on Elizabeth Street near the station, when he heard loud talking followed by a shot being fired.
“He saw two men and proceeded to investigate but, when he was within twenty feet of them, one drew a revolver and blazed the Chief. He knew he had been shot, but continued towards them, and while one man ran the other fired two more shots, both missing their mark.
“Chief O'Dell captured the man although not before one more shot was fired at him in the struggle. The officer feeling the effects of the first shot, pulled out his stick and rendered the man unconscious.
“Upon turning the prisoner over to another office who came to his assistance, Chief O'Dell received the aid of Dr. Maguire. The physician seen an abrasion about two inches long near his left breast, but also noticed the bullet glanced him after it struck his buckle, which was badly bent.
“Chief O'Dell was very fortunate and received many congratulations on his narrow escape from death.
“Chief O'Dell was appointed the new Police Chief of Derby on Aug. 1, 1907, and served until his death on July 6, 1926.
“Under Chief O'Dell the department experienced many changes, more patrolman were appointed, a fingerprint system was introduced, also a card index system of police records and the department was elevated to a high degree of efficiency according to police methods of the time.”