Unmarked graves: Hero #24, Officer Timothy Duane, Oakland Police Department
On April 9th, 1930, 24 year Oakland Police Department veteran Timothy Duane was standing in the roadway directing traffic at the intersection of 10th avenue and E. 14th street (now International Blvd). At about 7:30 pm he was struck by an automobile and hurled 30 feet into the path of another vehicle, which also struck him. Duane suffered massive injuries and was taken to Providence hospital. Nine days later on April 18th, Duane succumbed to his injuries. Per the Alameda County Coroner, Duane died from "cerebral hemorrhage due to fractured skull with other traumatism (suffered from the collision)". Duane was 59 years old. See Oakland Tribune article here.
Timothy Duane, badge #55
Duane's sacrifice had seemingly been overlooked in OPD's history until a letter arrived at the Office of the Chief of Police in February 2012. Duane's great-granddaughter wrote to point out that Duane was not included on the memorial wall in the lobby of the Oakland Police Department administration building. She sent supporting documents including a copy of his death certificate, in which was written that he suffered injuries "...while on duty as a traffic policeman of the City of Oakland, in the street and accidentally struck by an automobile...". An investigation was conducted by the Oakland Police Officer's Association, verifying indeed that Timothy Duane was killed in the line of duty and as such, deserved the appropriate recognition. His name was inscribed on the memorial wall and he was honored in May of 2013 at the annual Oakland Police Officer's Association / Oakland Police Department Memorial honoring those that gave their lives in the line of duty.
During our research we determined that Timothy Duane had been interred at St. Mary's cemetery in Oakland, per the Oakland Tribune's obituary. After St. Mary's staff confirmed his resting place, we found his grave to be unmarked (photo below). With the help of your donations, the final resting place of policeman Timothy Duane now has a deserving marker.
