Sheriff William Jones was shot and killed as he and a deputy attempted to arrest a man who had just murdered his wife and brother-in-law, and seriously wounded his sister-in-law.
The man had gone on a rampage and destroyed the contents of his home with an axe before committing the murders.
Sheriff Jones and the deputy went their separate ways as they arrived at the man's home. Sheriff Jones approached the front door as the deputy approached the back door. Just as the sheriff opened the screen door, the suspect appeared and fired a blast from his shotgun, instantly killing the sheriff.
The suspect fled the scene but was chased by a posse of citizens. He was caught in a nearby field and shot over 50 times by the citizens.
Sheriff Jones was serving his first term as sheriff when he was murdered. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
