Police Officer Humphrey Symons, Gold Hill Police Department, Nevada

Police Officer Humphrey Symons

Gold Hill Police Department, Nevada

End of Watch Monday, July 21, 1879

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Humphrey Symons

Officer Humphrey Symons was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance. He was walking passed a house when he heard a commotion inside. When he entered the house the male subject immediately shot him in the head. After Officer Symons fell, the suspect shot him in the head several more times. The suspect attempted to shoot the town marshal as well when the marshal arrived, but was shot in the arm and taken into custody.

The suspect was convicted of Officer Symons' murder and sentenced to death in December of 1879. He was to be hanged on January 16, 1880, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison.

Officer Symons was survived by his expectant wife and one child and is buried in the Masonic Section of Gold Hill Cemerty, Gold Hill, Storey County, Nevada.

Bio

Age 35
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

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Officer Symons: Thanks for your sacrifice. And thank you for serving the citizens of Gold Hill. Your service is greatly appreciated. Gold Hill is near historic Virginia City. At the time Gold Hill and Virginia City were rich boom towns, with some of the richest silver mines in America. Most of the miners were immigrants from all over the world. Gold Hill is now a very small town, with no police department. Currently Gold Hill and Virginia City are policed by the Storey County Sheriff's Office.

James Lopey, Assistant Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno, Nevada)
Nevada DPS

July 21, 2021