On June 15, 1901, Probationary Officer Richard Delaney was shot and killed while he and Officer Roach went to North Seventh Street to arrest a man for threatening to stab his wife. The woman, Lulu Turner, had gone to the Fourth District station house and reported the incident. Officer Delaney and Officer Roach escorted Turner home with orders to arrest her husband, William Turner. Officer Roach covered the rear of the residence and as Officer Delaney entered the front door William Turner opened fire. Officer Roach hearing six shots ran to the front of the house in time to see Officer Delaney stagger down the steps. and fall to the ground, shot through the heart.

William Turner was later apprehended by the Chief of the East St. Louis Police. Turner was wounded when captured, was tried for the murder of Officer Delaney, convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Officer Delaney had been with the agency for ten months and was survived by his wife and two children. Interred: Calvary Cemetery, St Louis, MO.