Correctional Officer Arthur Awty
Barton Street Jail - Hamilton
Ontario
End of Watch: Saturday, November 29, 1919

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Not available
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

About 10:15 a.m. on November 29th, 1919, a condemned murderer attacked and killed his death-watch officer, County Constable A. Case Springstead, in Barton Street jail.

The murderer, who was scheduled to hang on December 19th, 1919, for the murder of one Ignace Tremblatt, was armed with a two foot long, 10 lb. window weight, a sharpened spoon and, possible, a knife.

The Governor, Mr. Ogilvie, heard the commotion and, along with Chief Turnkey Arthur Awty, Sergeant John Lowrey and Turnkey William Berry, went to investigate. When Lowrey, Awty and Berry entered the corridor, Kowalski immediately attacked them.

Awty received severe wounds to his breast and abdomen, while Lowrey was wounded to the neck, leg and arms and Berry sustained wounds to his head. Lowrey and Berry eventually recovered from their injuries, but Arthur Awty succumbed to his injuries two hours later.

At the time of his death, Chief Turnkey Awty had been employed at the jail between 30 and 40 years.

Related Line of Duty Deaths

Constable Albert Case Springstead Wentworth County Police, ON EOW: Saturday, November 29, 1919 Cause of Death: Assault