Night Watchman John Wilson Slaughter

Night Watchman John Wilson Slaughter

Clarendon Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Saturday, March 12, 1927

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John Wilson Slaughter

At approximately 1:15 a.m., Night Watchman John W. Slaughter was making his regular rounds in the downtown area when he was shot and killed by an unknown person using a 12 gauge shotgun. Slaughter's body was found the next morning lying in Sully Street between City Hall and Parson's Produce. Tire marks by the body indicated that someone had sped off in a vehicle. A filling station had been broken into during the night and officers suspected Slaughter may have attempted to stop the burglar.

The citizens of Clarendon raised $2,000 as a reward for the capture and conviction of Slaughter's killer. Over two years later, in July 1929, John Scott of Wichita Falls gave a statement implicating S.P. Scroggins, aka: S.B. and O.B. Scroggins as the killer. Scroggins was charged with the murder. Scroggins was arrested and then released on bond and died of a heart attack or stroke in September 1929 before he could be tried on the murder charge.

Slaughter's wife, Bessie May Slaughter, preceded him in death. He was survived by two small children and other relatives. He is buried in Citizens Cemetery, Clarendon, Donley County, Texas.

Bio

  • Age 32
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Shotgun
  • Offender Died before trial

Most Recent Reflection

View all 5 Reflections

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 85th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 12, 2012

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