Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, March 15, 1974
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 6 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 15, 1974
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 2016
Deputy Sheriff Michael Mayborne was shot and killed while chasing a bank robbery suspect in Loves Park.
Two subjects robbed the Poplar Grove State Bank. One subject took the bank president hostage and forced him to drive away. They traveled on Highway 251, and he released the bank president at the side of the road before continuing on Highway 251 to Loves Park, where he abandoned the vehicle and went into a barbershop. Meanwhile, Deputy Maybourne spotted the vehicle, three $100 bills and was searching the area when the subject spotted him. The subject held the barber and patrons at gunpoint and escaped out the back door. When Deputy Maybourne found him, the subject fired, striking him three times. He managed to return fire, wounding the suspect.
The accomplice, who did not have a weapon, was arrested while attempting to drive away from the bank. He pleaded guilty to a federal bank robbery charge and was sentenced to six years.
The suspect was sentenced to 199 years in prison and was denied parole in 2013 for the 31st time. He was paroled on June 3, 2016, and moved to Florida.
Deputy Mayborne was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office for six years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, father, sister, and five nieces and nephews.