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Deputy Sheriff Robert L. Bailey | Lee County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
Lee County Sheriff's Office, Virginia

Deputy Sheriff

Robert L. Bailey

Lee County Sheriff's Office, Virginia

End of Watch: Thursday, July 18, 1935

Biographical Info

Age: 58
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 18, 1935
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Acquitted

Deputy Robert Bailey and Deputy Arch Redmond were shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man wanted in Middlesboro, Kentucky, for embezzlement.

As the deputies led the man from his cabin, the man's father-in-law opened fire on them from behind, killing both deputies with rifle fire.

The killer fled into the mountains on a mule and eventually ended up in Lubbock, Texas. He was arrested in Lubbock in March 1937 and returned to Lee County. He was acquitted of first degree murder charges of for Deputy Bailey, but was convicted of the murder of Deputy Redmond. Due to his age of 83 he served two and half years at a work camp and was released.