Town Marshal James Doran was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a subject for an ordinance violation.

   The 60-year-old man, who was refusing to trim shade trees at his residence, was threatening town board members who sought the assistance of Marshal Doran.

   When he approached the suspect to arrest him, he displayed a revolver and shots were exchanged. After Marshal Doran shot the man in his leg, he was struck and died instantly.

   The man was charged with first-degree murder. In a change of venue to Benton County, he was later found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

   On appeal, the Indiana Supreme Court reversed his conviction ruling Marshal Doran did not have the authority to effect an arrest without a warrant as the misdemeanor was not committed in his presence and ordered a new trial, where the charges were dismissed.

   Town Marshal Doran was elected to one-year terms and survived by his wife, five sons, two daughters, mother and three brothers.

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This officer, discovered in 2021, has not been submitted for consideration as an eligible line of duty death to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by the Kentland Town Marshal's Office.

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