Fallen Heroes

Town Marshall William Henry Newberry

Jakin Marshal’s Office

End of Watch: Tuesday, August 15, 1911

Age:  31

Cause of Death:  Gunfire

Date of Incident: Tuesday, August 15, 1911

Weapon used:  Gun; Unknown type

Suspect Info:  Escaped

Town Marshal William Newberry was shot and killed as he responded to the cries of a woman screaming for help inside her home.

As he entered the home, the woman’s husband shot him dead.  The suspect escaped and fled to Florida.

The suspect was a preacher, accused of instigating his followers to all sorts of things that made for disorder.  Because Marshal Newberry had raided some of his meetings, some citizens felt that the marshal’s death was decreed by the followers and the preacher was appointed to kill him.  An angry mob, determined to avenge the murder of Marshal Newberry, went on a three day rampage throughout Early County.  Three men were killed, several more were whipped, and a dozen churches were burned.

Chief of Police Henry Grady Sammons

Damascus Police Department

End of Watch:  Wednesday, September 1, 1937

Age:  45

Cause of Death:  Gunfire

Date of Incident:  Tuesday, August 31, 1937

Weapon Used:  Handgun

Suspect Info:  Shot and killed

Chief Henry Sammons succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to make an arrest. 

He had been called to a local sawmill to arrest an employee who had come to work drunk.  When the Chief approached the employee, the man produced a handgun and shot the Chief in the stomach.

Despite being mortally wounded, Chief Sammons was able to return fire and killed the suspect.

Chief Sammons was survived by his wife and child.