Constable John Welch died from injuries he suffered the previous day when he was shot by an escapee.

   Officers from Henderson, Kentucky, came to the city to arrest the subject and his brother who were wanted for burglary and robbery. The brother was arrested but the suspect fled the scene and Constable Welch located him hiding on a flatboat along the riverfront.

   As he approached the boat the suspect opened fire, striking Constable Welch twice with a double-barreled shotgun. After falling, the suspect's mother beat Constable Welch with a stick. He died the following afternoon at his residence.

   The 22-year-old male suspect was later convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to five years in prison and was discharged in 1867.

   Constable Welch was survived by his wife.