"Bob" Ashenfelter, Shot in Duel With Burglars, Asks Pension

"Bob" Ashenfelter, Shot in Duel With Burglars, Asks Pension John Sheeran Claims Disability Gladney and Roy Smith Ask to Leave Fire Service Applications of four policemen and two veteran firemen for pensions will be considered today at a special meeting of the Police and Firemen's Pension Commission in the offices of Mayor Roy R. Stewart. Included in the list are Detective Robert Ashenfelter and Accident Investigator John Sheeran, both seeking retirement because of disability suffered while members of the department. Others whose pension request will receive consideration at today's session include Patrolmen Robert Ward and Jesse Smith and Charles M. Gladney and Roy M. Smith, members of the fire department. Ashenfelter, who is 40, and lives at 352 Berwood street, was one of the first members of the police force to receive the Gold Star when that award for bravery was established by Mayor Stewart in 1931. He was appointed to the force by Mayor Victor King on July 1, 1926, and served as a motorcycle policeman until April 17, 1929, when he was appointed acting detective. His physician stated that Ashenfelter was suffering from an infected right lung as a result of wounds he received in a sensational pistol battle with a burglar whom he killed in the robbery of the American Store, Thirty-second street and Pierce avenue, on August 24, 1931. Receiving the report of the robbery, Ashenfelter went to the store with Detective Benjamin Simon. Ashenfelter walked to the rear of the store. As he reaced the door of a shed in the rear, he met a volley of seven shots fired from inside. One bullet knocked the gun from his right hand, another pierced his arm and a third entered his chest over his heart. Despite his wounds, Ashenfelter was able to pick up his pistol with his uninjured hand. He emptied it through the door. A moment later other officers arrived. When they opened the door they found Charles Rettberg, 21, of 1189 North Thirty-sixth street, lying dead on the floor. Arrested on the scene were the dead man's brother, Theodore, who later was acquitted, and Melbourne James and Gordon McCrea, who were sentenced to five years each in prison. Ashenfelter was in the hospital for several weeks after the shooting. During the World War he served as a lieutenant in the ordnance department attached to the 118th Field Artillery. "Johnny" Sheeran, 57, was appointed to the police department July 15, 1913. He still lacks several months of the required years service but is seeking the pension on the disability clause because of a wound received several years ago. Sheeran, attached to the Second Police District at the time, was helping to move some large steel cases in the old city hall when one of them fell on his left hand. Physicians at Cooper Hospital managed to patch the hand up, but Sheeran has never had the use of it since that time. Lately he has been working in the Accident Bureau. He lives at 777 Wright avenue.