Bio & Incident Details
Age: Not available
Tour: Not available
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 3/12/1878
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Lynched by mob
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Constable W. C. Fitzgerald was shot and killed while in pursuit of a group of drunk and disorderly people.
The group had entered the town of Trenton where they created a disturbance, recklessly firing their weapons. Constable Fitzgerald dispersed the group, but they began shooting again as soon as they were out of sight.
Constable Fitzgerald once again pursued the group but this time was ambushed and killed in a nearby field.
Two suspects were immediately brought into custody by the sheriff. Two other suspects escaped and were captured one week later in Vicksburg, Mississippi. One suspect was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Before the sentence began, an angry mob of citizens removed all four suspects from jail and lynched them in the courthouse square.
Constable Fitzgerald was survived by his wife and a child.
