Officer Courtney was stabbed to death by a 71-year-old vagrant near a vacant lot on North Seventh Street.

In the early morning hours on April 26, 1946, Officer Courtney instructed a man to extinguish a small camp fire that the man had set in a vacant lot at 1522 N. Seventh Street. When the man refused Officer Courtney began to put it out with his foot. The man picked up a lighted stick and struck Officer Courtney in the face. After a short pursuit Officer Courtney caught up with the suspect at 1507 North Broadway and a struggle ensued. The suspect produced a small pen knife and repeatedly stabbed Officer Courtney in his face and neck, severing Officer Courtney's jugular vein. The suspect was apprehended by a watchman who witnessed the incident. Officer Courtney was rushed to City Hospital #1 where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Officer Courtney was survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter. Officer Courtney's family also served with the department with his father, a sergeant who served forty-two years, and his brother as a police officer.