Officer Down - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Deputy William Hamilton shot down June 16, 1932 Floyd County Kentucky

Sheehan_Nora — 2013-04-30 19:01:15Z

My Grand-Uncle Bill Hamilton was a Deputy Sheriff in Floyd County, Kentucky. He was shot in the head and chest and died on 6/17/32. It was ruled a homicide. Another Deputy brought in the suspect (I believe it was my Grandfather, Deputy Steve Hamilton (also of Floyd) that brought in the murderer. I am trying to find out who shot my uncle. I have heard a few stories that another Grand Uncle Birt Hamilton tried to shoot the man that killed his brother but the man was on a horse, the horse reared and got shot instead. This is driving me crazy. William was married to Lurcresia Tackett. Any help would be most appreciated.

Deputy William Hamilton shot down June 16, 1932 Floyd County Kentucky

Sheehan_Nora — 2013-04-30 18:38:08Z

My Grand-Uncle Bill Hamilton was a Deputy Sheriff in Floyd County, Kentucky. He was shot in the head and chest and died on 6/16/32. It was ruled a homicide. Another Deputy brought in the suspect (I believe it was my Grandfather, Deputy Steve Hamilton (also of Floyd) that brought in the murderer. I am trying to find out who shot my uncle. I have heard a few stories that another Grand Uncle Birt Hamilton tried to shoot the man that killed his brother but the man was on a horse, the horse reared and got shot instead. This is driving me crazy. William was married to Lurcresia Tackett. Any help would be most appreciated.

Re: The GRIZZLE/GRIZEL Family

GrizzleGenealogy — 2011-06-01 14:21:16Z

Hi: It's now been 7 years since I posted the message. It's nice to know messages can still be read and replied to after all this time.

Thanks Ancestry and "thank you" to another member of the GRIZZLE/GRIZEL, (et al) family.

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, Arizona - b1931, d1969

nelleoj2 — 2011-05-28 17:51:29Z

Just looking for information. I am actually back in AZ and have been to the cemetery many times. Thanks!

Re: The GRIZZLE/GRIZEL Family

nelleoj2 — 2011-05-28 17:50:21Z

Thanks. I have been in contact with daughter of Janice. I have no idea why I wrote Janet all those years ago.

Re: The GRIZZLE/GRIZEL Family

gemininsight1 — 2011-05-28 05:09:12Z

Hi,

I realize this message is very late...by 4 years. But I was doing some research and came across this blog. Correction on the name "Janet" it is actually Janice Grizzle. She is my grandfather's sister.

Deputy Sheriff Frank Bateman; Harford County (Maryland) Sheriff's Office

thomask151 — 2011-05-15 13:28:53Z

Below is an article/obituary of Deputy Sheriff Frank Bateman who was killed in the line of duty 10 June 1899. The Harford County Sheriff's Office is seeking contact with any living relatives of Deputy Sheriff Bateman. Please contact the Office of Media and Public Relations at 410-836-5403 for additional information. This is from "The Aegis and Intelligencer" [Now known as The Aegis] "Friday Morning, June 16, 1899"
A Tragedy in Bel Air
An Officer Killed While Discharging His Duty
Deputy Sheriff Bateman Shot Down By John Hays
He Kills His Slayer After Receiving His Mortal Wound
Said To Be The First White Man Ever Murdered In Bel Air
The town of Bel Air was thrown into an intense state of excitement, last Saturday evening, about seven o'clock, by the startling news that Deputy Sheriff Frank Bateman had been shot and killed by John Hays, whom he was trying to arrest for disorderly conduct. While mortally wounded Mr. Bateman drew his pistol and fired several times at Hays, two or three of the shots taking effect. Hays fell and Mr. Bateman fell upon him. The scene of the conflict was a small two story house, on the north side of Alice Ann street, which was rented by James Lee, colored, the lower front room being occupied by Hays as a sleeping room.
It appears that Hays had been on a spree for several days, and while under the influence of liquor became very noisy and disagreeable to the residents of the vicinity. The annoyance was so great that Town Bailiff Alfred T. Jones was called upon. He obtained a warrant for Hays' arrest, charging him with being drunk and disorderly. Bailiff Jones sent for Officer Bateman to assist in making the arrest. On their way the two officers arrested a negro named Anthony Bond, and the Bailiff took him to jail while Officer Bateman went alone to arrest Hays. John Smith, a friend of Hays, who had also been drinking freely, learning that the warrant had been issued, hurried to the house and told Hays of the fact, advising him to go into the house and lock the door, to prevent being taken. Hays became enraged and declared that he would kill Frank Bateman or any other man who tried to arrest him. He then went into the house and secured the door.
The officer arrived and rapped, calling upon Hays to open the door and go with him quietly, as he had a warrant for his arrest. Hays replied that he was in bed and did not intend to come out. Officer Bateman continued to persuade Hays to come out, and finding his persuasions useless he read the warrant aloud standing on the door-step. Hays called out, "I'll kill you if you don't go away from here." Smith, who was still in the yard, went up to the officer, and laying his hand upon Mr. Bateman's arm said, "Go away from here. Don't undertake to take John or he will kill you."
Bateman then sent a colored boy for Bailiff Jones to come and guard the house while he himself went for Sheriff Forsythe. He subsequently told the boy to go over to Bailiff Jones' house, which was nearly opposite the scene of the tragedy, and get an axe.
THE DEADLY CONFLICT
At this juncture the door was thrown open and Hays fired twice at Bateman. One ball struck the officer in the right leg, and the other in the right side of the abdomen. The latter took an upward course and severed on of the main arteries, causing internal hemorrhage and almost instant death. The officer, although mortally wounded, returned the fire, Hays being struck by two or three bullets. One wound was on the right side of the breast bone, near the third rib, and one in the lower part of the stomach. An orifice was also discovered on the left side of the back, near the floating rib, but the physicians were unable to determine whether this was made by the entrance or exit of a bullet. A bullet was extracted from beneath the skin on the side opposite this orifice.
The second and succeeding shots were almost simultaneous. Hays fell first and the brave officer fell over upon him.
Mr. T.P. Jolliffe, who was driving past the house with Capt. Thomas G. Forwood, heard the shooting and returned to the spot. He ran into the house and endeavored to place the men in comfortable positions. Officer Bateman was practically dead when Mr. Jolliffe arrived.
Medical aid was at once summoned, and Drs. E. Hall Richardson, W.B. Munnikhuysen and Frank Harvey immediately responded. Both men, however, were beyond human aid. Hays lingered in great agony until about 11:30 o'clock when he died. He became conscious soon after the affair occurred, and asked that Rev. Father Frederick, pastor of St. Ignatius Church, Hickory, be sent for. His request was complied with and the minister came. The dying man's mother, Ms. Patrick Carroll, and his sister, were also brought from their home, near Mooreland Mills, and remained with him. His body was removed to his mother's home, from which the funeral took place on Tuesday [13 June 1899] morning. The internment was made in the cemetery attached to St. Ignatius Church, Hickory, Rev. J.A. Frederick, officiated, the pall bearers being Messrs. Charles Bode, Daniel Golden, Daniel H. Carroll, John Thorn, Lawrence Whalen, and John R. Bedford. There was a very large attendance.
The body of Mr. Bateman was taken to the grand jury room in the Court House and a jury of inquest summoned, which at the request of the State's Attorney Preston, adjourned until Monday morning. During Saturday night and Sunday the awful affair was, as may be imagined, the sole topic of conversation. It was referred to in one or two of the churches, the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, to which the Bateman family belong, making special reference to it. Inquiry revealed the fact that Mr. Bateman was the first white man ever killed in Bel Air.
THE INQUEST
Justice Clifford C. Barnes, acting as coroner, summoned two juries, one to investigate Mr. Bateman's death and the other that of Hays. The two were consolidated, making a compound jury of twenty persons, as follows: John A.W. Richardson, Richard A. Barnes, James C. Young, Eugene F. Guillot, Dr. William L. Lowe, Henry G. Maynadier, C.C. Richardson, Frank E. Gorrell, William H. Baner, Charles A. McGraw, Joseph P. Wilson, P. Moores Maynadier, David Hanway, Charles Richardson, Dr. Aloysius Valentine, James Richardson, Jacob, E. Bull, John E. Colder, J.T. Lingan, and Isaac N. Peterson. The following witnesses were examined: Dr. W.B. Munnikhuysen, Dr. E. Hall Richardson, Joseph Norton, Mrs. Alfred T. Jones, Capt. Thomas G. Forwood, Samuel O. Hinkley, T.P. Jolliffe, James Peterson, James Smith, Miss Ruth Jones, John Smith and Bertie Smith, colored.
THE TESTIMONY
was corroborative of the statement given above, developing the fact that the first shot was fired by Hays, and that after he was shot and in a dying condition Mr. Bateman entered the room determined to arrest his man, evincing wonderful nerve and courage. The jury rendered verdicts in accordance with the facts, stating that the two men met their deaths at the hands of each other, and in Mr. Bateman's case averring that "he came to his death while in the discharge of his duty as an officer of the law."
The weapons with which the shooting was done were both shown to the jury. That of Officer Bateman was a 32-calibre Smith & Wesson, while the one used by Hays was an American bull-dog, 44 calibre, with a six-inch barrel. Three of the chambers in Officer Bateman's pistol were empty.
FRANK BATEMAN
was one of the most widely known citizens of Harford county. He was the son of ex-Sheriff Joseph E. Bateman and was in the forty-seventh year of his age. He had been a deputy sheriff for a number of years, serving under several successive sheriffs. He was a man of large proportions, and his nerve and courage were equal to his size. He had the reputation of being one of the best officers in Harford, and had been the means of brining several noted criminals to justice. Up to the beginning of the Spanish was, he was Commissary of the First Maryland Regiment, with the rank of Captain. Always an active Democrat, he was at the time of his death a prominent candidate for sheriff. He was also constable for the third district, and it was while acting in that capacity that he came to his untimely death.
When a boy Mr. Bateman learned to set type in "The Aegis" office.
HIS FUNERAL took place on Monday [June 12, 1899] from the family residence, on Main Street, and was very largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. K.S. Miller, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, assisted by Rev E.D. Finney pastor emeritus of the church. The pallbearers were Messrs. George Y. Maynadier, William S. Forwood Jr. Clifford G. Barnes, David Hanway, Nicholas J. Hutchins, and J. Royston Stifler. The burial was in the family lot at Rock Spring [now known as Christ Church, Rock Spring Parish] Cemetery. A special feature of the funeral was a military guard of honor in uniform, consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. McLean, Major R.C. Massenburg, Captain Thomas G. Forwood, and Lieutenant W.G. Rouse, all of the First Regiment. A large number of prominent persons from Harford and Baltimore counties were in attendance.

Re: Willacy Co, Texas Deputy Sheriff Louis “Slim” May, killed in the line of duty

c_michaelangelo — 2009-09-15 20:10:38Z

Jenny, please feel free to contact me for more information at c_michaelangelo@hotmail.com

Re: Willacy Co, Texas Deputy Sheriff Louis “Slim” May, killed in the line of duty

jennyzallar5918 — 2009-08-04 01:12:56Z

I am not sure what to make of this, because I am part of the Zallar family, and I suspect the name mentioned is actually mispelled. It's not "Zaller", it's "Zallar". I was sad to have known that this happened to my great grandfather, but you know, I didn't know that he was Austrian. Can anyone demonstrate the accuracy of that, and if it is true, where I can go to find out more?

On a side note, I went to go look up death records on these people listed. Nothing listed in the college archives. Now what?

Officer Charles C. Solomon killed by gunfire....

charlottebutler80 — 2009-07-29 17:09:57Z

Officer Charles C. Solomon was killed Nov.26th 1946 in the line of duty. He served the city of Selma Alabama for many years. He and his partner Aurthur Sample were sent to arrest a felon and officer Solomon was fired on and killed.
Born" 1893
Died" 1946

Re: Willacy Co, Texas Deputy Sheriff Louis “Slim” May, killed in the line of duty

c_michaelangelo — 2009-05-25 18:51:51Z

Very interesting research and report. Although this day and age the press is more factual in reporting than speculation, many of the reports printed in 1926 were not very accurate nor were the agents as thorough as what actually happened.

There are several discrepancies to the facts involving the events of the those days in September. I am the great grandson and great-great grandson of Jose and Tomas Nunez respectively. Several witnesses in the area and involved in the events of that evening all tell the same version which was never published nor investigated. It was unfortunate that those original officers were killed but the following events tagged the innocent Nunez family as guilty without trial and viciously executed. The scars of those events carry out through the ages to the descendants 80+ years later.
Michaelangelo Carmona R.

Willacy Co, Texas Deputy Sheriff Louis “Slim” May, killed in the line of duty

nkcoleman — 2007-10-06 17:11:14Z

Summary
Deputy Sheriff Louis A. May
Willacy County Sheriffs Office
DOD September 5, 1926

Willacy County Deputy Sheriff Louis “Slim” May and Willacy County Deputy Constable Leslie Eugene “Bill” Shaw, a deputy constable under Hilario G. Gomez were shot and killed on September 5, 1926 after hearing a shot fired at a dance. Sidney Brandt, who was accompanying the officers, was slightly wounded.

According to the Willacy County News, “Deputy Constable Shaw, Deputy Sheriff Mays, night watchman Mike Chrestman, Sidney Brandt, Jack Shaddick and George Roube comprised a party of law enforcers detailed to keep peace around the Mexican dances Saturday night, two such dances being in progress at that time and lasted until after midnight”. Between 2 am and 3am on Sunday morning, a shot was fired near where one of the dances had been. The 6 split up and went to investigate the shooting. They had not gone very far when Brandt told Mays and Shaw he saw a gun pointed them. Soon after the shooting started, Deputy Constable Shaw was shot between the eyes and died instantly. Deputy Sheriff May was shot in the heart and died. Brandt was slightly wounded in the stomach.

Local officers theorized that the first shots were fired in order to lure the officers to their death for retaliation for previous arrest the officers had made.

According to newspaper accounts, on the night of the killings, Sheriff Teller and his deputies rounded up 20-24 persons (mostly Mexicans) who were in and around the area and placed them in jail for questioning.

On Tuesday, September 7, Tomas Nuñez, the father of Jose Nuñez, (one of the suspects in the shooting) was allowed to talk with his son at the jail. Shortly afterwards, Tomas told the Sheriff Teller his son confessed and would assist in locating the weapons that were used to kill Mays and Shaw.

Later that afternoon, 5 deputies, accompanied Jose and Delancio Nuñez, Cinco Gonzalez and Matt Zaller (an Austrian) along with Tomas Nuñez from the jail. The 5 were transported to a brushy area, eight miles west of Raymondville, where Jose Nunez pointed out to the officers where they would find the weapons. According to the newspaper accounts of the story, as the officers, along with the prisoners entered into the brush, they were met with gunfire. The officers ducked and return fire, however their prisoners were caught in a cross-fire. The result of the shootout left Jose and Delancio Nuñez, Cinco Gonzalez and Matt Zaller along with Tomas Nuñez dead.

The Nuñez Family made claims to the Mexican Consul General, that the body of Tomas Nuñez had been beheaded. The Governor of Texas, Miriam A Ferguson ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate the shooting of the prisoners at the request of the U.S. State Department. The “beheading” rumors later turned out to be false.

The Mexican Consul General also accused Sheriff Teller of letting a mob into the jail and taking the 5 prisoners out and shooting them. Later, a Willacy County Grand Jury investigated the case; and indicted Sheriff Teller and others with the murders. Sheriff Teller also had bigger problems to come when he and others were indicted by the U.S. Government for the famous Raymondville Peonage Cases, in January of 1927.

“In addition to the charge of peonage, Teller and Frank Brandt were tried in 1927 as accessories to the murder of Tomás Núñez and four other men in Willacy County. During the Nuñez murder trial it was established that Teller's sympathizers were harassing witnesses for the prosecution in the peonage cases. The sheriff argued that the murder charges brought against him were simply a political move to blacken his name before the peonage case trial and that the murder trial was instigated by his enemies, the "independents," to discredit him. During the murder trial he stated that there was nothing to the peonage cases and that if he had filed formal charges against the Mexicans arrested for loafing and let them stay out their fines in jail at the state's expense, he would not have gotten into such a mess. Other suspicious incidents occurred in the matter. An attorney who helped with the case against the defendants and served as a witness in the trial was beaten, and other witnesses declared they had been harassed in an attempt to keep them from testifying. Although half the defendants were found guilty of peonage, the general view in the county was that they had acted in an acceptable manner. The farmworkers' lives changed little. “

In closing, we will never know what the true motive was to the officer’s murder but the deaths were soon overshadowed by the continuing political, racial, crime, and “bootlegging” problems along the Mexico/US borders. Regardless of the motive, Willacy County Willacy County Deputy Sheriff Louis “Slim” May was killed on September 5, 1926 while operating in an official capacity as a Texas Law Enforcement Officer.

According to the death certificate, Louis May was born on February 28, 1906, in Victoria, Texas and was 20 years of age at the time of his death. He was survived by his parents, A.A. and Lois N. May and a sister, Josephine May. The information given as true and correct for the death certificate was furnished by A.A. May of Raymondville, Texas. Louis Mays was buried in Raymondville on Monday, September 6, 1926, in close proximity to Deputy Constable Leslie Eugene Shaw. The pallbearers for Louis Mays were Gus Zahn, V.Sabin, Bert Meyers, G.C. Harris, Arthur Shindle and H.A. Shapiro. Louis Mays was not married.

Source:
Texas Death Certificate #33552/31037, place of death was Willacy County, Texas.
Willacy County News, Thursday, September 9, 1926
Willacy County News, Special Edition, Tuesday, September 7, 1926
San Antonio Express Newspaper, Monday, September 6, 1926 – Not Included due to space
San Antonio Evening News, Monday, September 6, 1926– Not Included due to space
San Antonio Evening News, Tuesday, September 7, 1926– Not Included due to space
San Antonio Evening News, Wednesday, September 8, 1926– Not Included due to space
San Antonio Express, Wednesday, September 8, 1926– Not Included due to space
San Antonio Express, Thursday, September 9, 1926– Not Included due to space
San Antonio Light Newspaper, September 18, 1926– Not Included due to space
Laredo Times Newspapers, Wednesday, September 8, 1926
Laredo Times Newspapers, Thursday, September 9, 1926
Austin Statesman Newspapers, Monday, September 6, 1926
Austin Statesman Newspapers, Wednesday, September 8, 1926
Austin Statesman Newspapers, Friday, September 10, 1926
Austin Statesman Newspapers, Friday, September 17, 1926
Austin Statesman Newspapers, Monday, September 20, 1926
Photo of Louis May’s, Grave in Raymondville Cemetery by K. Coleman
The “Handbook of Texas, On-Line” RAYMONDVILLE PEONAGE CASES: The Handbook of Texas on-line, BIBLIOGRAPHY: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 2, 3, 4, 7, 1927. David Montejano, Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836-1986 (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1987). Oliver Douglas Weeks Collection, LULAC Archive, Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas at Austin. Alicia A. Garza
Mr. Raymond Shaw, Omaha NE, Shaw Family Researcher, E- mails and Interviews by K. Coleman.
Mrs. Luann Kirk, Granddaughter of Leslie Shaw, E-Mails, Newspaper Stories, and Interviews by K. Coleman
Mrs. Lucienne Terry, Daughter of Leslie E. Shaw, Phone Interview by K. Coleman
Letter written by Leslie A. Wayne, about interviews with the younger sister of Deputy Louis Mays.

Submitted July 2006 by Kyle Coleman,

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, Arizona - b1931, d1969

nanhow2 — 2007-09-11 06:50:30Z

Please use the email, as this is the first time I visited this site, and not sure I can find it again!
Nancy
rockartgal2@earthlink.net

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, Arizona - b1931, d1969

nanhow2 — 2007-09-11 06:47:49Z

I am wondering if you ever got any answers to your query???? You didn't post an email address..I know it is an old posting, but would like to know if you ever got the information you asked for. What about your mother? Did she re-marry?
I think I remember when this happened....but am not sure if I read it or if I just remember the cousins talking about it.
I used to spend summers with my cousins (WEBB) who lived at both Bowie and San Simon. I will ask them if they know anything at all about this...I am sure they will. Only one of them still lives in the area....the rest are gone now.
A few of my cousins are buried at Desert Rest Cem. If you don't live close enough, I can try to find his grave, and if there is a stone, I can get a photo for you. (what State are you in?) I am trying to remember what cafe this was in.......all three of my cousins worked in cafe's there......wish I could remember the name of the cafe....it was on the highway right at the western edge of town.think the building is still there...there was a couple of cafe's tho back in those days...I think even a "Tee Pee" shaped one.......can't remember.
Please let me know.....not sure exactly what it is that you want to know, but willing to make inquiries....
Nancy
rockartgal2@earthlink.net

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, AZ - b1931, d1969

1stRachal — 2007-01-29 15:12:45Z

Hello Todd:

You were 4 years old when your Dad was murdered by this person. No one can fill the void he left.

Have you had any contact with your Aunts and Uncles?

I'm not related, I just enjoy helping others with their research.

There's an old song we sing at Church, "Jesus never fails, Heaven and Earth will pass away, but Jesus never fails."

In my heart, I sense the love and pride Sheriff Brown had in his sons.

Routinely, when a LEO goes home after watch is over, they
shower, change clothes and spend time with their family.

When a LEO goes home to Heaven after watch is over, they are showered with love as they enter the gates. Their earthly body is left behind and a perfect, immortal body is "clothed."

Then, they watch over their family as they grow.

That's why you can feel his presence with you at times.

Let me know how I can help.

Rachal

The GRIZZLE/GRIZEL Family

GrizzleGenealogy — 2007-01-29 15:12:29Z

Hello Della: Is this Henry and Jane/Janet from the 1700s or 1800s?

Do you remember where you found the message I posted or the date of the posting?

Thank you.

Rachal Grizzle
WorldVitalRecords.com
Ancestry.com
Genforum.com

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, AZ - b1931, d1969

tcbphoto — 2007-01-29 15:11:02Z

Rachal,
Thanks for the kind and inspirational words. They are greatly appreciated. The void has been filled with a different Father over the years. I get the feeling you know what I mean by that.
I was in touch with some family members in years past. I will tell you what I have been told or am aware of. Grandma Pearl Brown (Jones) died in Tucson, AZ in 1995. Aunt Joanne (Howe) died in Oregon (so I have been told) though uncertain of year of circumstances. I believe Aunt Jean (married name unknown) died in San Simon, AZ though not certain of year or circumstances. I am really not sure about Sandra (possible Hall) who was living in Phoenix, AZ at time of Grandma Brown's death (so I have been told) and I only recently learned of Janie who spent time in Silverbell Mine area near Tucson (so I have been told). Basically I have a lot of holes here in the reearch with very little to go on. That is part of the reason that I have been trying to post information on the internet. I am hoping to possibly find a back door into more information or someone that knows more about this Brown family and life of my father's siblings.
I would appreciate direction or information that you may run across in your research.
BTW Are you any relation to the Jack (Henry) or Janet Grizzle that spent time in Bowie, AZ and also Texas?
Thanks again Rachal.
T.C. Brown

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, AZ - b1931, d1969

DELLAHUGHES2 — 2007-01-28 08:06:26Z

I'm not sure where I first saw this post, but anyway the Janet and Henry I'm talking about lived in Bowie on a ranch and he worked at the State line in San Simon. They later moved to Texas. My mother and Henry were cousins, his mother was my grandpa's sister. Plus I am very sorry for your loss, I too had my father murdered in 1960 Christmas Day, leaving a wife and five children. I too am always working on searching for information regarding his murder.

Della

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, AZ - b1931, d1969

tcbphoto — 2007-01-05 23:15:29Z

Della,
Thanks for the reply. They were friends of my parents and I have visited them several times, though not recently.
T.C. Brown

Re: Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, AZ - b1931, d1969

DELLAHUGHES2 — 2007-01-05 02:49:23Z

Hello, I was reading your post and came across Henry and Janet Grizzel, I know them and am related. How do you know them? Hope to hear from you.

Della Hughes

1890 Killings of W.D. Murphy by Dr. J.E. Sombart and Dr. G.W. Prichard by S.W. Miles, Coldwater, Kansas

jdferrin — 2005-04-23 15:52:13Z

W. D. Murphy, former city marshall of Coldwater, Ks, was slain on the street at the intersection of Main and Central by J.E. Sombart. Dr. G.W. Prichard, a witness to the slaying, was shortly thereafter slain by Solomon Miles, a lawyer. Both Sombart and Miles were eventually aquitted.

News articles regarding these events are online:

W. D. MURPHY SLAIN ON THE STREET BY J. E. SOMBART
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kscomanc/murphy_murdered.html

STATE vs. SOMBART
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kscomanc/sombart_state_21june1890.h...

SOLOMON W. MILES KILLS DR. G. W. PRICHARD
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kscomanc/prichard_murdered.html

"The Not-So-Gay 90s " by Evelyn Reed.
An overview of the killings of Murphy by Sombart and Prichard by Miles, with the outcome of their trials.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kscomanc/notsogay90s.html

Deputy Sheriff Leroy Dale Brown - Cochise County, Arizona - b1931, d1969

tcbphoto — 2005-04-23 15:45:48Z

Police Officer John Cappel Slays Fellow Cop>1920 Cook County, Illinois

2005-04-23 15:45:43Z

I am researching a tragic incident which occurred in Riverside and/or Berwyn, IL (Cook County/Chicago burbs) the night of April 25th, 1920.
In a case of mistaken identity, Off. John Francis Cappel of the Riverside (IL) Police Dept. shot and and killed Off. Fred Kuncl of the Berwyn (IL) Police Dept. The shooting took place on Harlem Ave., which separates the communities of the Village of Riverside & City of Berwyn, at approximately 34th St. Apparently each officer mistook the other for a "suspicious character" they had both been "called out" to locate. Both were in plainclothes and didn't know each other and when Kuncl didn't respond to orders from Cappel and, allegedly attempted to draw his pistol, Cappel shot him. Kuncl died the next afternoon (Apr. 26, 1920). Cappel was exonerated of any wrongdoing at a coroner's inquest.
If anyone has information of this incident and/or either of the officers involved (or Chief Orlando P. Tidd of the Riverside, P.D.), I would certainly appreciate hearing from you.
Please feel free to contact me with questions.
Thank You

Re: Henry Buford GRAVES: Death of Law Officer in Pageland, South Carolina

1stRachal — 2005-01-22 00:32:14Z

Rural Police Officer Henry B. Graves
Chesterfield County Rural Police Commission
South Carolina
End of Watch: Monday, July 14, 1924

Officer Graves was killed when he fell from a vehicle that had sped away from a checkpoint near the center of Pageland.

Officer Graves was assisting two Pageland officers at the checkpoint, which had been setup as a result of an earlier incident where a vehicle drove through town and the occupants were discharging a firearm.

A vehicle that had already gone through the checkpoint drove through again and stopped for a brief moment. The Pageland police chief and Officer Graves stepped on the running board but stepped back off once they recognized the occupants. As Officer Graves then stepped back onto the running board the driver of the vehicle sped away with his lights off at a high rate of speed. Officer Graves was able to hold on for about three blocks before he was either assaulted and pushed or fell from the vehicle.

The three occupants of the vehicle were arrested and charged with murder but were found not guilty at trial.

Officer Graves was survived by his wife and eight children.

Information Source: The Officer Down Memorial Site.

Rachal Grizzle

Henry Buford GRAVES: Death of Law Officer in Pageland, South Carolina

Martin_Graves — 2005-01-22 00:31:35Z

I am searching for details on the death of my great-uncle Henry Buford GRAVES. As noted in the quote below from the "Pageland Journal," he died in the line of duty of a law officer. Would there be any old police or court documents related to this event? Thanks for your help.

Death Notices From the Pageland Journal of Chesterfoield Co., SC, by James C. Pigg. Page 33:
"GRAVES, Henry B. - July 23, 1924 - Possibly never has Pageland been made to feel just as it was felt over the death of one, as over that of Henry B. Graves. He died from the effects of the wounds he received Sunday morning, July 13. These wounds were received in the discharge of his duty as an officer of the law."

Deputy Sheriff Janet HUNTER b 1972 d 2004 Ohio

1stRachal — 2005-01-11 09:46:17Z