Deputy Sheriff Avant Burmeister Coward

Avant Burmeister Coward

Deputy Coward was shot and killed in the front lawn of the county jail by a suspect. Deputy Coward had sent a message to the man earlier in the day requesting that he come to the jail to answer questions about cattle rustling. The man arrived at the jail with a shotgun and immediately exchanged shots with Deputy Coward. Both men were fatally wounded.

Deputy Coward was survived by his wife, four daughters, and one granddaughter.