Sergeant John Hugh Howell, II

John Hugh Howell, II

Sergeant John Howell was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute in which a man had assaulted his daughter.

When Sergeant Howell arrived at the location the man's son let him into the house. While inside he exchanged shots with the father, who was armed with a .22 caliber rifle. Sergeant Howell was struck in the chest and hand. He was able to make it to his patrol car and called for assistance before succumbing to his wounds.

The suspect was arrested and charged with murder and assault. He was convicted of second degree murder on March 1st, 1974, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was released on May 28th, 1982. In May of 1995 he was killed when a tractor turned over on top of him.

Sergeant Howell was U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient of the Vietnam War. He had served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for two years and was survived by his parents.