Constable James Henan DeLaney

James Henan DeLaney

Constable DeLaney was shot and killed while questioning a man about fire-crackers that had been thrown into a door at a dance at the Vina Town Hall at 10:30 pm. Constable DeLaney was inside the building and went out to ask who threw the fire-crackers. Constable DeLaney was confronted by a drunk male who he then tried to arrest. The suspect shot Constable DeLaney in the abdomen three times and then fled. Constable DeLaney succumbed to his wounds the following evening.

The suspect was later apprehended by a deputy constable. He was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to 16 years in jail.

Constable DeLaney had been appointed constable in 1897. He was survived by his wife and three children.