Constable Jay D. Close

Jay D. Close

Constable Close was shot and killed by a crazed drunk man he was attempting to arrest. The suspect was terrifying residents on Union Street by shooting off his shotgun into their homes. He shot Constable Close in the head as the officer followed him into a house he had broken into. The suspect tried to commit suicide but only succeeded in blowing off part of his lower jaw. He was charged with second degree murder.

The 35-year-old suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 20 years. After six months in prison he was diagnosed as being hopelessly insane and transferred to Mattaewan Insane Asylum.

Constable Close had been deputized by the sheriff to arrest the suspect the same day he was killed.