Railroad Detective Felix G. Presson

Felix G. Presson

Railroad Detective Felix Presson was found mortally wounded in the railway yards at Memphis, Tennessee. He had been shot four times and died before he could make a statement.

A suspect was arrested in New York City in July 1941 after shooting at another detective. The man confessed to the murder of Officer Presson while confined to Sing Sing prison, New York, for the attempted murder of the detective.

Even though he confessed and gave details about the murder that only he would know, Tennessee prison officials said he was in the Tennessee Penitentiary at the time of the murder. Law enforcement officials accused them of making a horrible mistake, but they stuck with their story and the suspect remained in Sing Sing.

Detective Presson had served with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for 18 months and had previously served with the Carroll County Sheriff's Officer for 13-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife, four daughters, parents, and seven siblings.