Deputy Sheriff Earl C. Martindale

Earl C. Martindale

Deputy Sheriff Earl Martindale was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglar at a pool hall he operated in Coleman.

He had been alerted at about 3:30 am that a nearby garage had been burglarized. While he was investigating the burglary, he discovered that several other local businesses, a schoolhouse, and his restaurant and pool hall had been burglarized as well. He encountered a suspect in front of the pool hall at about 4:00 am and placed him under arrest. As he walked the man into the pool hall, the subject drew a pistol and shot him three times. Deputy Martindale was able to return fire and wounded the subject.

The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on December 8, 1962.

Deputy Martindale was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Midland County Sheriff's Office for only 18 days. He was survived by his mother and sister.