Craig A. Nollmeyer End of Watch: January 24, 1985

On January 24, 1985 at approximately 6:25 PM, Tacoma Police Officers responded to the 1000 block of North Prospect Street where Kenneth Schrader had attacked his wife and slashed his twelve-year-old stepson in the head with a knife.  The stepson fled to a neighbor’s house while Schrader fatally shot his wife.  Schrader then walked to the neighbor’s house where he shot the twenty-three-year-old female resident as she hid in the bathroom with Schrader’s stepson and two other people.

Officers Craig Nollmeyer and William Taylor Jr. arrived in the area and positioned themselves at the corner of North 11th and Prospect Streets.  In the meantime, Schrader moved to the alley behind his house.  Observing the Officers on foot, Schrader raised his 0.44 magnum revolver and pulled the trigger, but the weapon did not fire.

Hearing Schrader's gun click, Officer Nollmeyer apparently believed that Schrader was out of bullets, but Schrader’s next round fired, striking Officer Nollmeyer in the head and killing him instantly.  Officer Taylor and other Officers returned fire and struck Schrader four times.  Schrader survived his wounds and was later convicted of murder, but spared the death penalty.

Officer Craig Nollmeyer, 33, joined the Tacoma Police Department on December 4, 1981 and was assigned to the Patrol Division.  He was survived by his wife Patricia, son Trevor, and daughter Emily.

Gone But Not Forgotten