Circumstances

On May 16, 1923, Leo Rogers, a 21 year old career criminal escaped from the Nipissing District Court in North Bay. In response to a tip from a local merchant North Bay Chief Morbey assembled a posse which included Planclothesman Fred Lefebvre, Goaler Joe Bourke and Constables Robb and Sgt. McGovern. When located at McLaren’ s Garage a gun battle and pursuit began which lasted through the night. Sgt. William McGovern was wounded when shot through the thigh. At dawn the battle continued where Mosquito Creek enters Lake Nipissing. From behind a tree, Rogers fired his rifle striking LeFebvre in the abdomen. Fred LeFebvre died the same day at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital. Fred was 46 years of age when he was murdered.

Postscript

Rogers remained at large and on May 30 killed OPP Sgt. John Urquhart. Leo Rogers was killed a day later by shots fired by OPP Inspector Storie. During the manhunt Rogers was identified through police photographs as the man responsible for several Toronto robberies.