Sheriff W. Floyd Ball

W. Floyd Ball

Sheriff Floyd Ball and Deputy John Hensley were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest three men who had just crashed their car through a barricade onto a newly-concreted highway between Harlan and Pineville. The suspects opened fire on the officers as they exited their patrol car and then shot Deputy Hensley several more times as he lay on the ground.

All three suspects were captured the next day after their car was found overturned a mile from the crime scene. The owners were traced through the license plate information. Two suspects ages 41 and 46 were convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years. One was pardoned by Governor Ruby Laffoon on November 29, 1933, after the jury in the trial asked for his release. A 24-year-old suspect was acquitted.

Sheriff Ball was survived by his wife and six children.