According to the story told by Mrs. Artie Smith of 459 North Fifth Avenue, Rivea came to her home and after making an improper proposal to her drew a revolver and threatened to kill her if she refused. Managing to escape through the backdoor of her home, she went to the sheriff’s office and reported the affair. In the meantime Winon Alfred, a little colored girl, called the police station and reported the incident.
Chief Lehrbas and Detective Garbett Drove to the locality in the chief’s car and noticed Rivea walking east on Wyeth as they turned the corner at the Gate’s pool hall, Lehrbas drove the car to the south side and Detective Garbett in getting out of the car, called to Rivea with the request to “Wait a minute.” With a muttered oath the gunman whipped out a revolver and opened fire.
The first bullet went through the windshield and struck chief Lehrbas in the right check while the second struck Detective Garbett a little under the right eye, killing him instantly.
The shock of the bullet dazed the chief for an instant, but his iron nerve stood him well in hand and he cut loose at the Indian, firing four shots, one of which connected with the mark. The chief then removed the smoking revolver from the hand of the gunman, picked up the revolver of the dead detective, got back into his own car and had a boy drive him to the General Hospital. Enroute to the hospital Chief Lehrbas saw a Tribune reporter standing at the corner of center and North Main and waved him to his car and related the details of the shooting on the way to the hospital. The chief did not appear worried over his own wound but was grieved over the fate of his fellow officer. When asked if he had been hit more than once Chief Lehrbas replied, “Darned if I know; I haven’t had time to look myself over.”
The fortitude and nerve of Chief Lehrbas was the subject of considerable comment on the streets of the city Wednesday evening and his courage and determination were highly commended.
According to reports received by the Tribune, Rivea came to Pocatello about two months ago and was recently employed as a car washer at an eastside garage. Little is known of his habits or associates but he had been given the name “Indian” in the local colored colony.
Detective Sam Garbett served approximately ten years as a peace officer. His kindliness to those in trouble won for him innumerable friends. He was a very capable officer and while lenient to unfortunates in many respects he never failed to perform his duty when called upon.
Mr. Garbett was a former city councilman and was employed for sometime in the Short Line boiler shop. For the past few years he has been interested with his son, George Garbett in the Garbett Electric shop on North Main. Mr. Garbett was an active member of the L.D.S. church and held the office of high counselor. He served under Bishop Hendircks and Bishop Cannon. He made two missionary trips in the interest of the L.D.S. church, one to England and the other to the Western States. He is survived by the following eleven children: Bob, Sam, George, Alma, Alice, Margaret, Nona, and Genevieve, all of Pocatello; Mrs. Marie Talbot of Salt Lake City, Ed Garbett of salt Lake, Mrs. Lillian Sullivan of Long Beach, California and Harold, of Pocatello.
The body is in charge of the Schumacher and Hall company and funeral arrangements will be announced later.
CHIER LEHRBAS RESTING EASILY
Late yesterday evening an X-ray was taken of the wound in chief Lehrbas’ face, and it was found that the bullet had traversed a considerable section of the jawbone, and portions of it were removed from both sides. Barring all complications it is stated that the officer should be well on the road to recovery within ten days, and he is resting easily at the present time, though the relaxation after he shock has very noticeable worked on his system and he constantly refers to the killing of his friend Detective Garbett, and his expressions regarding the gunman, Rivea, and the movement of his trigger finger, indicated that the first impressions of the tragedy still have a firm hold on his mind.
He was less concerned as to his welfare than that of his associate on the police force and his vigorous action following the opening of hostilities by Rivea demonstrated that he could take the fight out of the other man without flinching an instant. “Dutch” Lehrbas is an old time resident of Pocatello and his numerous friends in the community feel deeply the close call that was visited upon him.
Lloyd Lehrbas, oldest son of the chief, and a newspaperman who has spent the last three years in China, was an arrival this morning from Twin Falls, where he was visiting a brother, He will remain here until the chief has recovered.