Patrolman John True

John True

Patrolman True was shot and killed shortly before midnight when he and his partner encountered two suspicious men leaving a park at 2nd Avenue and Peabody Street. When the officers instructed the men to halt one of the men opened fire, striking Patrolman True in the chest. His partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect's accomplice. Patrolman True was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 0105 hours in the morning.

Both suspects were apprehended a week later in Columbia. A few weeks later the shooter hanged himself from a pipe in his jail cell with his shoe laces. His accomplice was convicted of murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Patrolman True had been with the agency for one month and was survived by his wife and daughter.