Patrolman John Sevick was shot and killed by a prisoner who was attempting to escape from the courthouse.
The subject had obtained a gun smuggled to him by his sister while in a holding cell at the courthouse. After subduing the court bailiff he started making his way through a courtroom where he was confronted by Patrolman Sevick and another officer.
The prisoner and officers exchanged shots and Patrolman Sevick was killed. The suspect was wounded and arrested a short time later. He was convicted of Patrolman Sevick's murder and executed in the electric chair on April 20, 1934.