Special Deputy Sheriff Luther P. Haley

Luther P. Haley

Special Deputy Sheriff Luke Haley was shot and killed in downtown Orange after stopping to stop to a subject in front of the First National Bank.

As the two spoke the man struck Deputy Haley and then drew a gun. Deputy Haley drew his gun and shot the man, killing him. Another deputy, who possibly held a grudge against Deputy Haley, then stepped from the crowd and shot him several times. The deputy then handed the gun to his brother-in-law who reloaded the weapon.

Both men were arrested and charged with murder, however, the charges were later dismissed when 21 material witnesses failed to appear at the trial.

Deputy Haley had been appointed 14 days earlier to assist the sheriff in ridding crime from the oilfields.