Incident Details
Cause of Death:Town Marshal Walter McCallister was shot and killed by a prisoner on Christmas Eve as he placed him into the town jail.
The previous day Marshal McCallister and two federal agents had raided the home of the man's brother-in-law in search of illegal alcohol. The man, who had been drinking, became upset over the raid and went looking to confront Marshal McCallister. Upon discovering the man was drunk, he was placed under arrest and taken to the town jail.
Marshal McCallister turned his back to the subject as he opened the jail cell. The man used the opportunity to draw a concealed pistol and then shot Marshal McCallister four times when he turned back around.
The 66-year-old man went to his son's home after the shooting and remained there until being arrested a short time later. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison where he died in 1931.
Town Marshal McCallister had served with the Dale Town Marshal's Office for several years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, three daughters, granddaughter and father.