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Marshal Gordon Lunsford | Chesapeake Police Department, Ohio
Chesapeake Police Department, Ohio

Marshal

Gordon Lunsford

Chesapeake Police Department, Ohio

End of Watch: Sunday, June 3, 1951

Biographical Info

Age: 40
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 3, 1951
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Marshal Gordon Lunsford was shot and killed as he and a Lawrence County deputy attempted to arrest a man on a peace warrant in the Corryville area of Lawrence County.

The two officers were fired on by the suspect when they arrived at his house. The deputy was wounded in the shoulder, head, and leg, but was able to return fire along with Marshal Lunsford. The subject retreated into his house and then shot at Marshal Lunsford, striking him in the head, killing him.

The 52-year-old man, who had been wounded in the arm, was arrested in West Virginia as he attempted to make it to a hospital across the state line. He was convicted of Marshal Lunsford's murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 6th, 1951. He was denied release in 1958.