Town Marshal Grant Ulysses McCory – Salem Police Department

Town Marshal

Grant Ulysses McCory

Salem Police Department

Tuesday, August 11, 1914

Age: 43

Served: 2 years

Not Included

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident: Tuesday, August 11, 1914
12:10 am
Incident to Death Duration: Same day
Incident Location: Public Square, Salem
Incident County: Washington
Incident Township: Washington
Weapon Used: .38-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition: Acquitted
Burial Place: Crown Hill Cemetery, Salem

Town Marshal Grant McCory was shot and killed in an unprovoked attack while making his night rounds in the southwest corner of the public square.

A few minutes after midnight, Marshal McCory was in front of the Independent Order of Red Mens' building when a subject shot him in the back of the head, killing him instantly.

The 35-year-old man surrendered a short time later to the sheriff claiming self-defense.

The offender was twice indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder, but he was acquitted after a second trial by a jury in a change of venue to Lawrence County in 1915.

Town Marshal McCory was elected to a two-year term and survived by his wife, two daughters, granddaughter, four sisters and two brothers.

Historical Notes

The Salem Town Marshal's Office existed after the town's incorporation in 1815 until it was abolished upon incorporation as a city in 1936 and the Salem Police Department was established.

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This officer, discovered in 2010, has not been submitted for consideration as an eligible line of duty death to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by the Salem Police Department.

Incident Details

The Salem Town Marshal's Office existed after the town's incorporation in 1815 until it was abolished upon incorporation as a city in 1936 and the Salem Police Department was established.

~ ~ ~

This officer, discovered in 2010, has not been submitted for consideration as an eligible line of duty death to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by the Salem Police Department.

Read more on our research at Honoring Our Fallen Town Marshals.