Post Messenger Recorder -

Monticello's Chief of Police Svzon Conway commemorated the 90th anniversary of Marshal Fred Jordan's "End of Watch", which occurred on March 7, 1930, during a ceremony and presentation at the Monticello Area Historical Society Museum on Saturday, March 7, 2020.

The program started at 10:00 a.m. Mary Davis, President of the Monticello Area Historical Society, introduced Monticello Chief of Police Conway and Monticello Village President Leaora Miller. The "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited by the thirty five people in attendance. Leaora Miller read a Citation by the Wisconsin Legislature, dated March 7, 2020, recognizing Village Marshall Fred Jordan, and "... the 90th anniversary of his death and his ultimate sacrifice in the name of duty and those he served".

Chief Conway presented the Life of "Doc" Fred Jordan, who was born in Monticello in 1871, and served for over a decade as the Village Marshall. Conway has done extensive research on this event and also visited the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial at Washington, D.C.

Newspaper accounts at the time stated that Jordan's death came at 5:20 a.m., March 7, 1930, on Main Street in Monticello from two shots fired at point blank range by 17-year-old Gottfred Gottier of Footville. Gottier had stolen a car in Evansville, and for nearly two hours before the shooting, drove back and forth on Main Street, honking his horn and shining a spotlight in the windows of local residences in an attempt to awaken a gas station operator who Gottier planned to rob. Marshall Jordan apprehended Gottier, but disarmed him of only one of three revolvers the youth had. Gottier shot Marshall Jordan twice while Jordan was searching the vehicle, fatally wounding him.

Monticello physician, Dr. Edward Blumer, earlier that night, had notified Marshal Jordan of the disturbance, and rushed out of his house (having witnessed the shooting) to treat Jordan. Dr. Blumer contracted pneumonia and died several weeks later. Dr. Blumer was also the attending physician during the 1919 triple homicide at Schultz station of the Illinois Central Railroad five miles South of Monticello, which involved Green County Sheriff, Matt Solbraa (1919 Triple Homicide by Tom Mitchell).

Pastor Kelly Volk, of Washington Reformation UCC, gave a closing prayer. Those in attendance were encouraged to ask questions of Chief Conway and view displays.