Patrolman John Middleton Starnes

John Middleton Starnes

Patrolman John Starnes succumbed to wounds received one week earlier while he was attempting to arrest the occupants of a car who had been joyriding through town and had caused a traffic accident.

After locating the vehicle Patrolman Starnes jumped on the running board. He was struck on the head with a crankshaft and knocked to the ground.

He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries seven days later. All five suspects were eventually taken into custody. All five were charged with manslaughter. All five testified in court that they were so drunk they could not remember what happened. Charges against all five were dismissed.

Patrolman Starnes was survived by his son and four daughters.