On October 20, 1919 Officers Frederick F. Tierney, Jesse F. Shepherd, and Vincent D. Crowley responded to a break-in at the Crescent Cigar Store at 1211 Baltimore Avenue - a popular gambling house that had closed just three days earlier as a result of an anti-vice campaign. An employee of the Dixon Hotel at 12th Street and Baltimore Avenue called police when he heard the noise of the attempted break-in. The officers arrived as the 4 or 5 men were attempting to blow off the door of the safe with a charge of nitroglycerin. A gunfight ensued, and Tierney chased one of the men down Baltimore Avenue. Tierney caught him, and a struggle followed. Tierney was knocked to the ground, as as he lay there, the man shot him. As the burglar fled, Tierney remained conscious long enough to empty his weapon in the man's direction. Crowley and Shepherd were able to capture only one of the burglars that morning. Tierney died that afternoon at the hospital.

Frederick F. Tierney had been a member of the police department for two years.