Sheriff Joseph Caldwell Talbott

Joseph Caldwell Talbott

Sheriff Talbott, Deputy Sheriff John McDonald, and Deputy Constable James Stapleton were shot and killed while transporting three auto theft suspects they had arrested to jail.

One suspect was later arrested. On July 4, 1920, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was granted a new trial and acquitted on September 14, 1922.

Sheriff Talbot had served as sheriff of Lafayette County Sheriff's Office for two years. He was survived by his wife and five children. Two weeks after Sheriff Talbott's death, his wife won a special election to become the next sheriff.