"In the early decades of the twentieth century three Somerset County lawmen gave their lives while protecting the citizens of Crisfield, MD. These tragic deaths caused a sensation at the time but once the men were lowered into their graves, the memory of the tragedies slowly faded into the mist of time. Except for hard to find old yellowing newspapers and a few scattered public records, information on these fallen officers was hard to find." See more at the Delmarva History website.
Night Chief John H. "Jack Hen" Daugherty
Crisfield Police Department, MD
EOW: Sunday, July 28, 1907
Night Chief John Daugherty was shot and killed as he and another officer walked a prisoner to jail. The two officers had just arrested the man for selling whiskey. A friend of the man witnessed the arrest and obtained a .44 caliber revolver. The friend followed the officers and prisoner for about half a block, and shot Night Chief Daugherty in the back of the head without warning, killing him instantly. The suspect fled the scene and attempted to escape into Virginia by taking a sailboat. A posse of citizens caught up to him, returned him to Crisfield, and then beat and lynched him. Night Chief Daugherty was survived by his wife and five children.
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Thank you to all of our law enforcement agencies and departments. We are grateful for you each and every day!
Stay safe and God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Delmarva Supports Law Enforcement
