There are many reports of the September 19, 1919 murder of well-respected Constable George E. Peeso killed in the line of duty at the age of 39 leaving a pregnant wife and four 
children. However, little is known about his assailant and what followed after his murder.
It began on this Friday night when police were called to a disturbance at the Sterling Inn. David Mahoney, the proprietor of the Inn had been beaten by three men for refusing to serve them alcohol. Responding to the call was Police Chief McDonald Lynch, Officer Charles Lynch (the chief’s son) and Constable George E. Peeso. Two of the men were successfully detained, but the third broke away and ran. Officer Lynch and Constable Peeso took chase heading towards the Town center where he was caught. A fierce battle followed and handcuffs were finally placed on the left wrist of the assailant, but the man drew a revolver from his hip pocket, held it to Constable Peeso’s chest and fired. Peeso was killed at 8:45pm. Officer Lynch emptied his gun in pursuit but was unable to capture the murderer.
Posse’s were organized, guards set up road blocks at all main roads surrounding the area and local farmers were notified that a hatless man, 5’6” tall, weighing between 125 to 140 pounds, wearing a blue coat and gray trousers was on the loose. The man-hunt began.
The following day, Ernest Nordenstedt of 48 Belmont Street, Worcester was arrested at the home of Asa Spencer of Rowley Hill. The arrest was the result of the cool headedness of Maude Spencer, Asa’s daughter, who found the wounded man lurking in the backyard when she went out to feed the chickens and recognized him from the description that had spread around town. She invited him inside and treated his injuries while Asa notified police. Constable Warren Rugg quickly arrived and without a struggle arrested Nordenstedt. The jail at the Sterling Town Hall was avoided for fear the gathering mob may take matters into their own hands and he was hurried to the Clinton Police Station and ultimately Clinton Hospital.
A hearing scheduled for Monday, September 22nd was postponed as Nordenstedt was too ill to attend. On November 18th, Nordenstedt was indicted for manslaughter and bail was set at $7,000. A Jury was empaneled and the trial began. He plead not guilty on the grounds of self-defense. He claimed the officers made no mention of their official standing and he thought he was being robbed so he used what force he did to save his own life. The defense claimed he was beaten with a club so severely that if he shot the officer, he did not know what he was doing because of his dazed condition. On November 21, 1919, Ernest Nordenstedt was found not guilty by jury and acquitted.
George E. Peeso was immortalized on a bronze plaque on a granite monument at Memorial Park in Sterling not far from where he died. His name appears on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Peeso was an employee of the Sterling Cider Co., Member of the Unitarian Church, Sterling Grange, Sterling Fire Department and a long-time Constable.
Contributing Articles from the Boston Globe, The Boston Post, The Fitchburg Sentinel and The Landmark