Special Policeman Augustus Henry Emery, Jr.

Augustus Henry Emery, Jr.

Special Policeman Augustus Emery died after being assaulted while attempting to break up a fight while the Hilliard & DeMotte Pacficic Circus was in town.

A village dance was occurring across the circus grounds when the fight broke out. Officer Emery was able to break up the initial fight, however, a citizen then assaulted one of the circus employees. A group of over a dozen circus men then attacked the crowd with clubs and other items. Policeman Emery was struck on the head, knocked down, and stomped. He succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Two men were arrested and convicted of second-degree murder and were sentenced to prison. One of the men was later pardoned by the governor.

Policeman Emery was survived by his wife, three daughters, and siblings.