Chief of Police William R. Holcomb

William R. Holcomb

Chief William Holcomb and Policeman James Coldiron were shot and killed while investigating a complaint that a miner had brought a firearm into the U.S. Coal and Coke Company mine.

The mine foreman had caught the man with the gun and reported it to the police chief. The chief, Policeman Coldiron, and the foreman located the man, along with three other men, in the company's bathhouse. As they spoke all four men opened fire, killing Chief Holcomb, Policeman Coldiron, and the foreman.

Two of the suspects were wounded by return fire and all four were taken into custody. All four were tried and acquitted. In 1932 one was shot and killed in Harlan County. In 1933 two were charged with another murder in Harlan County. One of them died before the trial.

Chief Holcomb was survived by his wife and 10 children.