Special Patrolman Sylvester M. Turpin

Sylvester M. Turpin

Special Patrolman Sylvester Turpin was shot and killed attempting to arrest a man who was intoxicated and creating a disturbance in his neighborhood.

The Paris police chief and another officer were preparing to leave for Lexington when they were notified of the problem. They picked up Patrolman Turpin and drove to the suspect's home to arrest him.

The police chief remained in the car as Patrolman Turpin went to the back door and the other officer went to the front door. As Patrolman Turpin attempted to open the door the man inside fired a shotgun through a window, striking him in the abdomen and killing him instantly.

Upon hearing the shot, the police chief ran to the back of the house and returned fire, striking the suspect in the head. The suspect died in a hospital later that night.

Patrolman Turpin had been sworn in only two days earlier to fill in for an officer who was sick. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.