Danville Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Friday, October 22, 1880
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 22, 1880
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Pardoned
Town Marshal John Simpson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three men who were firing their weapons in town along Second Street.
Marshal Simpson had advised the men that they could continue having fun, but could not fire the guns in town. The group moved down Second Street and then began to fire again. When Marshal Simpson and another officer attempted to arrest them they were both shot. Marshal Simpson was killed and the other officer, as well as a citizen, were wounded.
Three subjects were charged with Marshal Simpson's murder. Charges were dismissed against one and the other two were pardoned by the governor before their trials were held.
Marshal Simpson was a widower and survived by six children.