Town Marshal
Albert Byers Sr.
Diamond Town Marshal's Office
Sunday, April 9, 1905

Age: 34
Served:
Badge #:
Not Included
Not Included

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, April 9, 1905
07:00 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Diamond Street and County Road 375 East, Diamond
Incident County:
Parke
Incident Township:
Raccoon
Weapon Used:
Revolver
Suspect Disposition:
Acquitted
Burial Place:
Clear Run Cemetery, Bridgeton

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   Town Marshal Albert Byers was shot and killed during an altercation with a saloonkeeper as a result of his enforcement of local gambling laws.

   A former town marshal began assaulting another man near a livery barn when the saloonkeeper attempted to intervene as they walked north towards McGregor's Saloon.

   When Marshal Byers confronted him, the conversation escalated to an argument and the saloonkeeper was struck on the head with a mace.

   The 28-year-old saloonkeeper pulled a revolver and fired once, striking Marshal Byers above his right temple, killing him almost instantly.

   The suspect fled the scene but surrendered to the Parke County sheriff claiming self-defense and was later acquitted at trial of first-degree murder by a jury.

   Several threats had been recently made by the suspect toward Marshal Byers for his enforcement action against local gambling rooms and slot machines. 

   Town Marshal Byers was survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, parents, five brothers and two sisters.

Historical Note

Town marshals were elected to unlimited, two-year terms until 1917 when state law was amended to require they be appointed to office by the trustees of the town board.


The responsibilities of the Diamond Town Marshal's Office (1902–1912) are now under the jurisdiction of the Parke County Sheriff's Department.
~ ~ ~
This officer, discovered in 2008, has not been submitted for consideration as an eligible line of duty death to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by the Parke County Sheriff's Department.

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Diamond Town Marshal's Office

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Town Marshal Byers Sr.
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