End of Watch: The murder of Escambia County, Florida Sheriff Andrew Cary Ellis

September 25, 1923

An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon.

By Mike Simmons

Andrew Cary Ellis was born in Monroe County, Alabama on August 9, 1873. One of the latest industries to take off during the latter part of the 19^th century was railroading. As if awakened from a deep sleep, the nation suddenly realized that there was now within her reach a tool to connect the East and the West, the North, and the South…railroads. Suddenly, men with money began to take notice of the potential, workers found jobs, and teenage boys got stars in their eyes about being railroad men!

Cary Ellis was no different. A farm boy, he was no stranger to hard work. Soon he found that he was good at the new job. He moved to the Florida panhandle town of Pensacola and began driving a train engine. He loved it – and it paid well.

The April 28, 1908, edition of the Pensacola News Journal ran an ad that announced Ellis’ candidacy for sheriff[i]. But he was defeated by the popular sitting sheriff, James Van Pelt.

Over the next four years, Cary Ellis continued as a railroad engineer, and he continued to gain popularity among the citizens in Pensacola. Ellis, his wife, and three daughters – Louise, Cary, and Denise – lived in the middle of town, at 815 N. Davis Street.

When reelection time came for sheriff in 1912, Ellis was ready. On February 4^th, he ran an ad again announcing his candidacy for sheriff[1]. The results reported on May 29, 1912, were close. Ellis got 1750 votes and Frank Sanders garnered 1652, a 98-vote difference. But it was enough. Escambia County’s Sheriff Cary Ellis took office on January 7, 1913.

As soon as the 1915 Christmas season was complete, many office-seekers began looking toward the new year to campaign for their desired offices. In Pensacola, four sought the circuit judge position, three – maybe four – for state attorney, one for court of record judge, three for county solicitor, and seven for sheriff. One must wonder what the daily priority of the current officeholder is when seeking a second term.

After a long and tough year of making speeches, kissing babies, smiling for photos, shaking hands, and making promises, Sheriff Ellis did not win re-election. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even come in second. James Van Pelt won, followed by Pensacola Police Chief Frank Sanders.

Frank Sanders retired as chief in 1918. Naturally, the City of Pensacola father looked to Ellis to fill the position. He accepted the officer and was appointed as Pensacola’s top cop. He leaned heavily on and worked closely with his two captains, William O’Connell and Ernest Harper.

1922: Ellis was again elected Sheriff of Escambia County. It had been four years[2]. Had there been changes since he left in 1916? Yes, but much of the job was the same. It took some getting used to, but he couldn’t help but feeling like he was “back in the saddle.” But it felt good to pin on his old Sheriff’s star again.

Susie McLane was mentally unbalanced, according to those who knew her. Many local lawmen had had dealings with her. She had a lengthy arrest record, including the time she cut a man with a knife. The 50-year-old woman didn’t live at 2009 West Petterson Street (later named Cypress Street). She was staying there illegally – again. Sheriff Ellis had had to forcibly evict her before. Hurley Cobb, the owner of the house, never gave her permission to stay there, but she did anyway.

On September 25, 1923, Mr. Cobb complained to the sheriff that Ms. McLane was still at his house, and he wanted her out. She had to go, and now was the time. The sheriff didn’t want to do it, but Mr. Cobb had obtained a court order to put her out. The sheriff said that he wanted to put her out “without hurting the poor old soul.”

Because eviction is the duty of the sheriff even though this one was located inside the city limits, Sheriff Ellis went by and grabbed Captains Harper and O’Connell to go with him. All three were veteran officers, and it was hoped that they would be able to reason with the woman.

Ellis, O’Connell, and Harper arrived at the Petterson Street address about 4:30 PM, and yelled a greeting to the woman, who had closed the doors and pulled the shades. Ellis tried to talk her into leaving. With no option, he tried to force the door. McLane shot twice at the door with a .32 revolver, missing everyone. As Ellis forced the door open, McLane fired a third time, striking him in the chin, tearing through his spinal column, and breaking his neck. The officers with Ellis opened fire on the woman. She was dead before she hit the floor. Sheriff Ellis, bleeding profusely, died a few minutes later.

Suddenly…the chief law officer, the community leader, and the rock that everyone leaned on was dead.

The funeral took place at 4:30 PM on September 26 at the sheriff’s home, 1123 N. Baylen Street[3]. After it concluded, a procession of 2000 people proceeded to St. John’s Cemetery for the burial service. Sheriff Ellis was survived by his wife and three daughters.

Following his burial, Deputy Thomas Cusach was sworn in as temporary successor by Judge Jones.

Well done, Sheriff. Rest easy.