Person:Charles DeYoung (1)

News Item MOTOR POLICEMAN KILLED

 Charles I. DeYoung, 22, motorcycle officer, lost his life Monday morning when his motorcylce skidded at Fulton street and Park avenue, S.W. and crashed head-on into a motor truck.  He was removed to Butterworth Hospital, where he died at about 10 o'clock from injuries to  his skull and chest.
 The tragedy occurred as DeYoung, riding west in Fulton street, turned north into Park avenue and faced three machines, one standing and two under motion, which made it impossible for him to pass.  Swerving wide to the left side of the street, DeYoung sent his motorcycle skidding into a truck driven by A.E. Klingman, 55, of 712 Bond avenue, N.W. driver for the Kent Fuel company.
 Force of the impact threw DeYoung beneath the truck, the wheels of which passed over his chest.

No Chance to Escape.

 "He was going so fast he had no chance to escape," said Robert E. Billings, 219 Fuller avenue, S.E., a witness of the accident.  "He might have seen the motor truck before he swerve to the left, but I doubt it.  He face a vertibale stone wall."
 DeYoung was on his way to police court to appear against 11 violators of the auto laws.
 The dead officer was married, but had been living with his brother, Engle, 123 Hall street, S.W.  His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius DeYoung reside on a farm at Engle Corners.  Surviving him also are three other brothers, Cornelius, Jr. James and Marshall, all of Grand Rapids, and three sisters, Mrs. Blanche VanderStel, 230 Auburn avenue, S.E., Mrs. May Spaulding, residing on Cascade road, and Mrs. Minnie Denison, of Ada. 
  DeYoung was appointed a member of the police force April 6, 1919, resigned on June 26, 1919, and on April 6 of this year was reappointed.
 Coroner Simson LeRoy, following an investigation into the accident, stated last night that an inquest will not be necessary.  No one is held responsible for the accident.
 Members of the DeYoung family had not definitely completed arrangements for the funeral at the late hour last night, but stated that tentative plans were being made to hold it Thursday afternoon. 

CITY TO SEND FLORAL OFFERING TO DE YOUNG

 City Manager Locke formally announced to the city commission at its meeting Monday evening the death of Motorcycle Officer Charles I. DeYoung and at his recommendation the commission order that a floral offering be sent.
 "Officer DeYoung had been with the department only a short time," said Manager Lock, "but during that time he showed the qualities which go to make up a successful officer.  He was zealous and untiring and the entire city official family, as well as the police departments, regret his untimely death."
 Source: Grand Rapids Herald, Tuesday, June 8, 1920, pg 3.

Grand Rapids Herald, Tuesday, June 8, 1920, pg 3.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Michigan Births, 1867-1902.

   Includes parents names.

2. ↑ Michigan Death Records, 1897-1920,.

   Seeking Michigan website

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 News Item, in Grand Rapids Herald
   Tuesday, June 8, 1920, pg 3.
4.   Find A Grave.

   Also City of Grand Rapids online records.