Vina Township Constable's Office, California
End of Watch: Monday, February 24, 1902
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 23, 1902
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Released in 1912
Constable DeLaney was shot and killed while questioning a man about fire-crackers that had been thrown into a door at a dance at the Vina Town Hall at 10:30 pm. Constable DeLaney was inside the building and went out to ask who threw the fire-crackers. Constable DeLaney was confronted by a drunk male who he then tried to arrest. The suspect shot Constable DeLaney in the abdomen three times and then fled. Constable DeLaney succumbed to his wounds the following evening.
The suspect, 32, was later apprehended by a deputy constable. He was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to 16 years in jail. He was released on April 24, 1912.
Constable DeLaney had been appointed constable in 1897. He was survived by his wife and three children.