Officer Holmes died at home on November 15, 1914 at 9:00 am from complications of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident while on-duty four years prior to his death. His motorcycle was struck by a car while he was attempting to make an arrest. Pyaemia-osteomyalitis of the vertebra was the listed cause of death.

Officer Holmes, born in Joplin, Missouri, joined the police department in November 1907. He worked the river motorboat patrol for several years, spent one year on the traffic squad, and was a member of the department's first 18-member motorcycle squad at the time of the accident. Officer Holmes was survived by his wife, Florence N. (Newton), married Oct. 25,1905. He was the son of Alexander Holmes, an English emigrant. Services were held on Tuesday, November 17, 1914 at Freeman & Marshall's Funeral Home at 3146 Main. Interred: Elmwood Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant