Lemhi County Sheriff's Department, Idaho
End of Watch: Monday, January 2, 1928
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 11 months, 3 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 2, 1928
Weapon Used: Rifle; .30-.30
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Sheriff Bancroft, Special Deputy Leonard Cummings, and Special Deputy Billy Withington were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man.
The suspect was given permission to retrieve money from his bedroom but returned with a .30-.30 rifle and opened fire, killing all three deputies. Deputy Bancroft had deputized Special Deputy Cummings and Special Deputy Withington on his way to make the arrest.
The man fled but was arrested the following day. The suspect died 2 days later of wounds he received during his arrest.
Deputy Bancroft had served with the Lemhi County Sheriff's Department for less than one year. He was survived by his wife and two children.