Deputy Sheriff John J. Hensley

John J. Hensley

Deputy John Hensley and Sheriff Floyd Ball 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 and the owners were traced through the license plate information. Two, 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. The third 24-year-old suspect was acquitted.

Deputy Hensley was survived by his wife.