Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Sunday, September 13, 1936
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 13, 1936
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 13 years
Special Agent W. Urban Sprous was shot and killed at Cairo Junction, Illinois, while attempting to arrest a man who was trespassing in a freight train boxcar.
Agent Sprous' pistol fell from its holster as the two struggled. The man picked up the gun and shot him in the arm and head, killing him. The subject was arrested several hours later at a nearby farm. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one to 13 years in prison.
Agent Sprouse had served with the Illinois Central Railroad for approximately five years.