Town Marshal Columbus Croy was shot and killed after responding to a burglary in progress at the Faulkner Saloon, 500 feet from his residence.

   He was at home asleep when he was alerted to the burglary and as he approached the establishment one of the four suspects ordered him to stop. As Marshal Croy continued to walk towards him the man opened fire and mortally wounded him in the heart.

   The suspects fled and hopped on a nearby train headed towards Chicago or Detroit. All four suspects were later apprehended and convicted of first-degree murder.

   After being granted a new trial on appeal in 1910, the 31-year-old shooter later pleaded guilty to burglary, was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison and paroled in 1912.

   Two other offenders, ages 40 and 44, were sentenced to three years in prison and paroled. The 51-year-old fourth offender, who had previously served as town marshal, was sentenced to two to four years in prison and died while incarcerated in 1911. 

   Town Marshal Croy was survived by his wife, 10- and 14-year-old daughters and sister.