Bio & Incident Details
Age: 46
Tour: 7 months
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 8/2/1947
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Paroled after 17 years
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Sheriff Pierce was shot and killed by a man who he had just arrested.
Shortly before midnight Sheriff J. J. Pierce was investigating a bootlegging operation in the city of Ralls. He arrested a suspect who had numerous convictions for liquor violations. As Sheriff Pierce walked the suspect to the sheriff's car, the suspect grabbed the sheriff's revolver and shot him five times. Neighbors heard the gun fire and saw the suspect drive off from the scene. The sheriff's body was found in a vacant lot.
The suspect was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled after 17 years.
Sheriff Pierce had served with the Crosby County Sheriff's Office for seven months and was survived by his wife and 8 children.
