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Justice of the Peace John W. Saunders | Greensville County Circuit Court, Virginia
Greensville County Circuit Court, Virginia

Justice of the Peace

John W. Saunders

Greensville County Circuit Court, Virginia

End of Watch: Thursday, March 22, 1900

Biographical Info

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

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 22, 1900
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Lynched by mob

Justice of the Peace John Saunders and Deputy Sheriff Joseph Welton were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man involved in a string of burglaries in the Emporia area.

The two men and a citizen had tracked the group of suspects to a cabin near Skippers, Virginia.

As Justice Saunders and Deputy Welton entered the cabin one of the suspects immediately opened fire, killing Deputy Welton. Justice Saunders returned fire and turned to retreat but was shot in the back of the head and killed. The citizen who had accompanied them retreated and went to get help.

The shooter and another suspect were captured a short time later and taken to the county jail. The Virginia State Militia was sent to protect the prisoners for fear of lynching but was withdrawn by order of the governor. The county sheriff then turned the two prisoners over to the citizens and they were both lynched.

Justice Saunders was survived by his wife and several children.