County Policeman William Lee Cape

William Lee Cape

County Policeman William Cape was shot and killed while investigating possible moonshining activities. He was shot several times while attempting to search a vehicle.

One of the men then drove his body to Bartow County. His decapitated body was located by a hunter three days later.

All five suspects were apprehended and convicted of Policeman Cape's murder. Three were convicted of accessory to murder and sentenced to one year on the county chain gang. The shooter, age 22, and another, age 38, were sentenced to life in prison. On August 8, 1929, the shooter escaped while working with a road crew. A car stopped where he was working; he jumped in, and was not seen again until 1934 when he was captured in Pickens County. Six months later he escaped from a prison work farm and recaptured in 1940. He was pardoned in 1941. The other lifer escaped from prison in 1934. It is not known if he was recaptured.

Policeman Cape had served in law enforcement for 40 years. He had previously served with the United States Marshals Service. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.