Patrolman John William Sartain

John William Sartain

Patrolman Sartain was shot and killed by a sniper while using an employee entrance at the police station during a shift change. The suspect, 16, who lived in an apartment complex 200-yards behind the police station, was apprehended two days later.

On April 18, 1972, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years. A life sentence was ruled out due to his age. On February 7, 1974, the boy was released in leu of bond after the Texas Court of Appeals reversed his conviction. On June 4, 1974, he was convicted a second time for murder and sentenced to 99 years. His attorney said he merely shot at a building and did not mean to hit anyone. He was paroled in 1984.

Patrolman Sartain was survived by his wife, son, brother, and mother.