The Officer Who Stole From the Poor: A Seattle Cop’s Betrayal
Officer J.E. Doney is arrested for forging receipts and stealing money from Japanese immigrants, shattering his reputation as a trusted member of the police force.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Made Against Officer Doney.
The matter was placed in the hands of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Special Mention: Officer J. E. Doney was arrested Wednesday morning on a complaint made out by James Cann, a Japanese mill occupant of a house at 325 Washington Street, reported to Officers Hamilton and Burns, on the Washington Street beat, that there had just been a man up in the apartment of two ignorant Japanese men, electricians, making off with money.
The Japanese described the man as wearing a light overcoat, dark suit of clothes, and brown hat. The number of his star was 7.
The matter was reported to Chief Reed, and he began a secret investigation which has resulted in the disclosure of Doney's guilt.
Suspicion rested on Doney from the start, the description given by the Japanese tallying exactly with that of Doney; furthermore, the number of his star is 7. Doney was seen by Officers Hamilton and Burns on the Washington Street beat the night of the alleged forgery.
During this time, he asked him if he knew anything about the forgery of James Cann's name to receipts. Doney denied any knowledge of such a thing. Chief Reed then informed Doney that he knew the man at the station was in the case, and that he did have enough men in the force if necessary. Doney, finding that his guilt was practically known, said: 'Well, I did it.' He ordered Clerk Kennedy to strike Doney's name off the books as occupied.
Doney was taken from an escort this morning, and when Chief Reed saw the statements were correct, he placed the matter in the hands of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Chief Reed stated that he had placed the utmost confidence in Doney, and always believed him to be high in esteem.
James Cann, whose name was forged, was interviewed on the subject this morning, and in reply said: 'I was informed today that my name had been forged and written by J. E. Doney, a member of Judge Austin's court, collected money and signed my name to all receipts. I immediately placed the matter in the hands of the prosecuting attorney to deal with as he deemed just.'
Doney's handwriting was compared with that of the receipts, and they are alike in every particular.
Doney's crime is a great shock to the police department, as he was held in the highest esteem by the entire peace force, especially so by Chief Reed.
This 1906 story highlights an early instance of police accountability and the vulnerability of immigrant communities to exploitation by authority figures. While modern Seattle has robust internal affairs divisions and community oversight boards, the core tension remains: how do we ensure those entrusted with public safety act with integrity, particularly toward marginalized populations who may lack the resources to challenge powerful institutions?
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