Prisoner Vanishes as Policeman Drops Dead
(G. R. Herald - 2 Oct 1923)

George W. Burleson, for 15 years a Grand Rapids police officer, dropped dead yesterday afternoon while escorting a man he had arrested to a police automobile nearby. Burleson fell to the street at the intersection of Market and Finney aves., and the back of his head apparently struck against a cobblestone embedded in the ground. His scalp was but and the skull fractures but a coroner's examination shoed that death was probably due to heart trouble. The prisoner vanished.
Burleson had been sent to investigate a report that intoxicated persons were creating a disturbance in a house at 226 Finney are., SW., and accompanied by Clarence Baker, police chauffeur, drove to the place. Baker left the car a distance from the house and the two, approaching it,' saw no cause for an arrest. They decided to wait on the spot and soon an intoxicated man stepped out into the street.

Baker Tells Story

"We followed him down the street a ways and then Burleson took him in charge," Baker said. "I went back after the car and looked back once and saw Burleson was well able to handle him. When I returned I didn't see them and the next moment I was Burleson on the ground with arms outstretched. I carried him to the car and took him to Butterworth hospital, but he did not become conscious."
Physicians at the hospital said Burleson was dead, when he was brought in. Coroner J. B. Hilliker closely examined the wound on Burleson's head, but said he believed death was due to heart trouble. Two years ago, Dr. A. H. Edwards, city physician, examined the officer and said his heart was in bad condition. At that time A. A. Carroll, police superintendent, took Burleson off the police motorcycle squad on which he had served six years, and on Jan. 19, 1922, promoted him to be special officer, his work in that capacity being lighter.
The police chief conducted an inquiry yesterday and questioned persons who were near the scene when Burleson died. Clarence Fisher, 16 of 217 Finney ave., SW., said he saw the officer and prisoner approaching, but paid little attention to them until Burleson suddenly fell. He said he would have seen the prisoner strike Burleson if that had happened.

Prisoner Disappears

Officer said that the man Burleson had arrested was George Spoelstra, a teamster. Spoelstra walked toward the Consumers Power company's garage nearby, when Burleson fell, and apparently sought to summon aid. He then disappeared.
Burleson was appointed a patrolman March 23, 1908. He was 48 years old and his home was at 144 Fitzhugh ave., SE. His wife survives him. He had during his 15 years of service made a number of notable captures, the last spectacular catch being made two years ago, when he caught an oil station bandit only a few blocks from the scene of a holdup at Monroe ave., and Coldbrook st., where the robber had tied the station man with wire and had looted the safe.
The officers body was taken to the Metcalf undertaking rooms. No funeral arrangements have been made.