The First National Bank in Castle Shannon was the site of a much publicized bank robbery in 1917. $18,500 was taken in the robbery, of which $10,500 was immediately recovered from one man shot during the escape. The full sum was never recovered. A group of men gathered to chase down the robber to no avail. From that group, Elmet J Zeiler, a WWI Medal of Valor winner from the USA and France, and a double Purple Heart recipient, was named the first Chief of Police in Castle Shannon when the police department was formed.