Historical Society seeks Ryan reward money for memorial

The Sarnia Historical Society has applied to Ontario’s Attorney General for an 82-year-old reward once offered for the capture of the notorious bank robber and murderer Norman (Red) Ryan.

The Sarnia Historical Society has applied to Ontario’s Attorney General for an 82-year-old reward once offered for the capture of the notorious bank robber and murderer Norman (Red) Ryan.

Ryan and a member of his gang were slain by Sarnia Police on May 23, 1936. The Ontario government offered the $1,000 reward following the murder of a man in Markham, Ont. three months earlier.

The reward application sent last week “on behalf of the citizens of Sarnia” would see the money used to erect a plaque to Jack Lewis, a Sarnia Police Constable who was shot and killed by Ryan during a liquor store holdup at 140 Christina St.

Lewis was the first police fatality in Sarnia’s history to that time.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, Mayor Mike Bradley and Police Chief Phil Nelson supported the Historical Society’s application, in writing.