Marshal John Armour Stitt

John Armour Stitt

Marshal Stitt was shot and killed after responding to a home where a man was drunk and creating a disturbance. As the marshal approached the man came out of the home and fell down. The marshal identified himself, and as he was helping the man up, the man shot him in the heart, killing him.

The suspect, 59, was taken into custody by neighbors. He was convicted of murdering Marshal Stitt and sentenced to life in prison. In 1970 he was awarded a new trial after a complaint was filed stating he was denied due process and received improper representation. On April 17, 1970, the judge in his case dismissed the murder charge and ordered that he be immediately released, stating his decision was based on his poor health and he had committed no infractions in prison.

Marshal Stitt had been appointed night marshal only 6 weeks earlier. He was survived by his ten children.