Monahans Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 17, 1939
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 17, 1939
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1953
Deputy Marshal Earl Burkett was shot and killed in the city jail while attempting to search a man who had just been arrested.
The suspect began a struggle with Deputy Marshal Burkett and shot the marshal through the left lung. The man was apprehended and charged with murder.
The 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was pardoned October 29, 1953.
Deputy Marshal Burkett had been employed with the Monahans Police Department for only six months at the time.