Officer Down Memorial Page - http://www.odmp.org

Chief of Police Joseph Russell Gautier | Lester Police Department, West Virginia
Lester Police Department, West Virginia

Chief of Police

Joseph Russell Gautier

Lester Police Department, West Virginia

End of Watch: Sunday, May 4, 1941

Biographical Info

Age: 63
Tour of Duty: 25 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 4, 1941
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted

Chief Gautier was shot and killed while executing an arrest warrant with another officer.

Chief Gautier and Constable D. W. Snuffer went to arrest a man with a warrant for malicious wounding. While arresting him, the suspect got both the officers weapons and shot and killed Officer Gautier.

Chief Gautier was survived by his wife, son, five daughters, and his parents.