“Shoot on Sight”

By Mike Simmons

Shoot on Sight

Eugene Forsyth was born on February 24, 1904 in Pensacola. Tragedy struck the Forsyth family when Eugene was two years old. His father, John, the head of the family, passed away, leaving his wife, Margaret (Maggie) to raise five boys by herself. Trouble visited the young Eugene when he was fourteen years old. He and his friend were arrested for stealing copper off a ship in Pensacola Bay. He was given another chance. Wisely, his mother steered him in the direction of wrestling.

That was it. He found he was pretty good at wrestling, winning every local bout he entered. When he was taken to Birmingham for the matches with the big boys…he won again! That sport stayed with him for the rest of his life, as he began coaching and officiating.

A year after he began wrestling, a new form of law officer was born. Unexpected to everyone, when the Eighteenth Amendment (the Prohibition Act) passed, the word, “revenuer” quickly became a household word. As soon as Eugene was old enough, he became one – A Prohibition Agent.

Like in most places in the country, West Florida was teeming with bootleggers, moonshiners, and rum runners. And it was teeming with Revenue Agents from the Federal Prohibition Enforcement Service who were right on their tails. Eugene found himself in life-or-death situations almost daily. He was soon promoted to the agent in charge. By now, the wrestler and revenuer was well-known in Pensacola.

On June 4, 1934, Eugene Forsyth (top row, far right) was named Director of Public Safety for the City of Pensacola, overseeing the Police Department. As someone who had an office at police headquarters but had the ear of the mayor and city commission, Forsyth was able to make improvements immediately, as he had received extensive training in law enforcement.

As soon as he settled in, he began classes, eventually rotating every officer through the course. He equipped officers with tear gas bombs, sawed off shotguns, and a machine gun. Forsyth explained that his officers needed more firepower to stop criminals.

On December 31, 1935, the Pensacola News Journal quoted Forsyth. He said, “By using shotguns and rifles, officers will be able to apprehend persons discovered trying to rob stores who have been able to make their getaway in the past.” He added that “Instructions are being given to all members to shoot on sight when burglars or holdup men are caught in the act of a crime.”

Forsyth also held the position of Escambia County, Florida Deputy Sheriff and Chief Deputy. He also ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.

Mr. Forsyth died on February 23, 1946, the day before his 42nd birthday.

Interesting…