Officer Zannella suffered an accidental fatal gunshot wound while chasing a man wanted to assaulting a street car conductor.

On Saturday, April 27, 1901, Officer Zannella was in foot pursuit of a man wanted for the robbery of a street car conductor near 5th and Holmes. During the pursuit Officer Zannella tripped on a loose sidewalk plank on Charlotte near Missouri and fell. Officer Zannella's unholstered revolver discharged, the bullet struck Officer Zannella's right knee and exited below his right calf. Originally not thought to be a life threatening injury but an infection developed as a result of the wound and Officer Zannella's leg was amputated at the hip. His condition continued to deteriorate and he died at St Joseph's Hospital on May 19, 1901 at 4:00 am.

Officer Zannella, was with the agency for 15 months, being commissioned in January 1900. He was born in Italy, survived by his wife, Blanche, and three children, Anthony, Mabel, and Josephine. Interred: Mount St. Mary's.

Article by Brent Marchant