Memorial to David C. Higginbotham
End of Watch: December 7, 1963
Rank: Officer Badge No. 875
Age: 23 Years of Service: 3 months
Location of Death: Alabama Avenue and 30th Street, SE
Duty Assignment: Training Academy, detailed to the annual Christmas detail
Circumstance:
Officer Higginbotham was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at Alabama Avenue and 30th Street, SE, at approximately 8:20 pm. The driver fled the scene but surrendered to police the next day. Officer Higginbotham was assigned to the annual Christmas detail.
Biography:
Officer Higginbotham had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for only three months.
Articles from the Washington Post – transcribed by Dave Richardson, MPD/Ret.
THE DEATH OF OFFICER DAVID C. HIGGINBOTHAM ON DECEMBER 7, 1963.
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED DECEMBER 8, 1963, PAGE A3
Police Rookie Killed By Hit-and-Run Driver
DISTRICT TRAFFIC TOLL
Deaths to date, 1963…….87
Deaths to date, 1962…….58
Total deaths, 1962……….65
Pvt. David C. Higginbotham, 23, of 1352 Valley Dr. SE, a rookie with nine months to go before he could consider himself a full-fledged policeman [incorrect information], was injured fatally last night by a hit-run driver.
Higginbotham, according to the Accident Investigation Unit, was directing traffic in front of the shopping center at Alabama Ave. and 30th St. SE, about 8:20 p.m., when a car, whose driver failed to stop after the accident, struck him.
An all-points lookout for the fugitive driver and car, described as a dirty two-tone (white over blue) 1957 or 1958 Plymouth station wagon was flashed immediately.
Police said Higginbotham, who entered the Washington Police Academy only three months ago, was recruited from Princeton, W. Va. With other members of his rookie class, he was pressed into holiday traffic duty shortly after Thanksgiving to help the regular force. He was working the 4 p.m. to midnight shift, police said. He was pronounced dead of multiple injuries at Casualty Hospital.
The car, police said, probably has a damaged left front headlight and fender. It was traveling east on Alabama Ave. when the accident occurred and continued in that direction.
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WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED DECEMBER 10, 1963, PAGE C6
Police Rites Set For Car Victim
A full-scale police funeral for a 23-year-old rookie killed in a hit-and-run accident Saturday night, will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Hines Funeral Home, 2901 14th St. NW
Eleventh Precinct Pvt. David C. Higginbotham was killed while directing traffic at 30th St. and Alabama Ave. SE. The alleged driver of the car, James L. Goodman, 29, of 4770 Homer Ave., Suitland, is being held on $5000 bond for grand jury action.
After Wednesday’s funeral, a police honor guard and a delegation from the Policeman’s Association will accompany the body to Princeton, W. Va., for burial. An inquest will be held at noon Friday.
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NOTE: THESE ARE THE ONLY ARTICLES FOUND FOR THE OFFICER OR THE SUSPECT. IF ANYONE HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE POST IT FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS THE OFFICER’S MEMORY.