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City Marshal John Tyler Pierce | Mitchell Department of Public Safety, South Dakota
Mitchell Department of Public Safety, South Dakota

City Marshal

John Tyler Pierce

Mitchell Department of Public Safety, South Dakota

End of Watch: Wednesday, April 9, 1884

Biographical Info

Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 9, 1884
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted at trial

Marshal Pierce was shot and killed when he went to a local saloon to arrest the owner.

Marshal Pierce, who was unarmed at the time, was called to a saloon in town after the owner refused to close the bar, which was open past the hours allowed by city ordinance. When Marshal Pierce entered, the suspect drew a weapon and fatally shot him in the head.

The suspect was arrested and charged with murder, but was acquitted at trial.

Marshal Pierce' term as city marshal was about to expire and this incident occurred on his last day in office.