The death of William Tatroe, 73, turnkey at the county jail, and for nearly 26 years a member of the Grand Rapids police department, struck by an automobile Sunday night on US-16 about two miles east of Cascade, marks the passing of one of the most picturesque members of the police force of the early 90’s, as well as one of the best known and most popular policemen.

Mr. Tatroe was hit by a car driven by Leslie Robinson, 19, employed by Western Union at Lansing. His parents live on Bridge rd., about 20 miles west of the city. Relatives of the victim exonerated Robinson, whose name was not obtained at the time, although he stopped and offered assistance. The youth reported to Prosecutor Munshaw yesterday morning that he did not see Mr. Tatroe until almost on top of him. He stopped his car within 30 feet, he declared.

With Mr. Tatroe at the time was his wife, a son, Jack Tatroe and a grandson. The accident occurred after the son had stopped on the right hand side of the road across from a gasoline filling station which the elder Mr. Tatroe wished to enter, when the latter stepped from behind the car directly into the path of the oncoming machine. He was dead before his son could get him to Blodgett hospital.

Worked in Lumber Camps

Born near Mendon, Mich., Nov. 12, 1857, Mr. Tatroe as a young man worked in the lumber camps and sawmills near Luther and was appointed a member of the police force Jan. 8, 1892. Fresh from the rugged life of the lumberjack, Mr. Tatroe, of athletic physique, became one of the most fearless members of the department.

At that time a number of gangs of rowdies on the west side had been making life miserable for policemen, assaulting several and threatening others. Officer Tatroe was assigned to the Butterworth st., SW, beat and soon the word went around that the neighborhood gang was going to "get" the new officers.

A fake fist fight was staged near Butterworth st. and Straight ave., and Officer Tatroe immediately set forth to arrest the battlers. He had handcuffs on one of the men when the "opponent" and the remainder of the gang of about 20 brutally assaulted him with fists, feet, clubs and bricks.

Riot Call Sounded

A riot call was sent in to police headquarters and when the reserves arrived Officers Tatroe was found unconscious an badly beaten. For a time his life was despaired of and it was several months before he left the hospital. Harvey Carr, then Chief of police, did not rest until every one of the rowdies had been punished and the gang broken up.

Officer Tatroe after recovering returned to duty and later was made a traffic officer, stationed at Market and Monroe. After being at this post about a year, he received a badly injured leg in stopping a runaway horse, and he was made court officer in police court. He held this post about 10 years, during which he transported nearly 10,000 prisoners from police headquarters to jail, with only two of these men escaping.

In spite of his fearlessness and strength, Office Tatroe was of a sunny disposition and made hundreds of friends, not only among law abiding citizens, but among offenders, including many "repeaters" in police court.

Became a Turnkey

Officer Tatroe resigned from the police department May 21, 1917, because of failing health and retired to his farm near Conkin, but when Byron J. Patterson was elected sheriff two years ago, he accepted the post of turnkey.

He was a member of the Kent camp, 1080, Modern Woodmen of America, and of the Metropolitan club. The latter organization will have charge of providing transportation for the funeral services, which will be held at the late residence, 2016 Rowe ave., NE at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon.

Sheriff Patterson, in charge of arrangements, announced yesterday that six veteran policemen who had served for years with Officer Tatroe will be honorary pallbearers. They are Officers Morrissey, Barrett, Madigan, Mackle, Brennan and Haessig. The following deputies will be active pallbearers: Turnkey Peter Drabinski and Deputies Riemersma, Schenck, Young, Wyman, and Matthews. County Motorcycle Officers Miller and Hoogerhyde will act as escort.

Burial will be in Fairplains cemetery.