The below listed details were gathered by Retired MPD Detective Sergeant Dave Richardson and is part of an entire series of stories we have been republishing here. Dave has done some great work over the years, which you will see as his parenthetical notes correct the reporting errors by the Post.
There is no known photo of Officer Bradley
THE DEATH OF OFFICER PRESTON E. BRADLEY ON FEBRUARY 21, 1921.
THE WASHINGTON POST ARCHIVES FAILED TO PRODUCE THE ARTICLE REPORTING THE INCIDENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE OFFICERS DEATH. THE NEWSPAPER ALSO GOT THE FACTS WRONG IN THE FIRST ARTICLE CONCERNING HIS CAUSE AND TIME OF DEATH
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED APRIL 2, 1921, PAGE 2
PENSION OFFICER’S WIDOW
Commissioners Grant $35 a Month for Life to Mrs. Bradley.
A life pension of $35 a month was granted to Mrs. Preston E. Bradley by the commissioners yesterday, because of the death in the line of duty of her husband, a policeman, who was shot (incorrect) while attempting to make an arrest last month (incorrect).
The commissioners realize the smallness of the pension to Mrs. Bradley family, but it is the maximum allowed by law for the length of that officer’s service.
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PARTIAL WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED OCTOBER 4, 1921, PAGE 2
Autoist Faces Manslaughter Trial. Man Accused in Bill of Causing Policeman’s Death.
A bill charging manslaughter was returned against Norman O. Houghton, in connection with the death of Policeman Preston E. Bradley, who died February 20 (incorrect) as the result of injuries suffered when Houghton is alleged to have driven an automobile on which the policeman was riding into a street car. Bradley had arrested the man on a charge of violating traffic regulations.
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WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED FEBRUARY 12, 1922, PAGE 20
WIDOW SUES FOR $10,000.
Mrs Bradley Charges That Autoist Caused Husband’s Death in 1920 (incorrect)
Gertrude Bradley, as administratrix of Preston Bradley, has filed suit against Owen N. Houghton, to recover $10,000 damages for the death of her husband. Mrs. Bradley, through her attorneys, Simon, Koenigsberger & Young, states that February 20, 1920, her husband was on police duty on Seventh street northwest, between N and O streets, and that Houghton drove an automobile on Seventh street in a reckless manner while intoxicated.
Bradley hailed the automobile, Mrs. Bradley says, and the driver refused to stop and Bradley then jumped on the running board. In an effort to throw Bradley from the automobile, it is charged, Houghton passed close to a street car, which threw the policeman, injuring him so severely that he died the following day.
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PARTIAL WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED OCTOBER 19, 1922, PAGE 13.
Daily Legal Record
CRIMINAL COURT 2—Mr. Justice Bailey
No. 37602. U.S. vs. Norman Owens Houghton; manslaughter; verdict, not guilty, and defendant discharged. Attys., Hawken & Havell.
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