Cairo Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Saturday, December 3, 1910
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 3, 1910
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Sergeant Wilfred French was shot and killed by the Pulaski County Sheriff whom he had previously arrested several times for causing trouble while under the influence.
The sheriff demanded that Sergeant French return a gun that had been confiscated. When Deputy French refused and turned to walk away the sheriff shot him in the back. The sheriff was arrested, charged with Sergeant French's murder, but acquitted at trial.