Deputy Marion Stapleton

End of Watch: Wed, Jul 13th, 1932

Date of Incident: Wed, Jul 13th, 1932

Cause of Death: Gunfire (Intentional)

Service Time: Not Known

Age: 40

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Marion Stapleton was shot and killed and Deputy Sheriff Stanley Helton was mortally wounded by a man wanted for the murder of a local farmer the previous day.

The suspect, known throughout the area as "Bad Bill," opened fire with a shotgun as the deputies approached. Deputy Stapleton was killed instantly. Deputy Stanley Helton was struck in the chest and succumbed to his wounds 12 days later. A third deputy was only slightly wounded and survived.

The suspect fled into the mountains but surrendered to a posse five days later. He was sentenced to death for Deputy Helton's murder and executed in the electric chair on November 3, 1933.

Information obtained from the Officer Down Memorial Page.