Constable James Washington Irey

James Washington Irey

Constable James Irey was shot and killed after responding to a farm to investigate a report of a suspicious person who was refusing to leave a shack on the property. As Constable Irey approached the shack he was ambushed by the suspect with a sawed-off shotgun.

Another constable along with several men responded to the scene and shot the suspect in the legs when he refused to surrender. He was charged with murder.

The suspect, 45, was adjudged insane and sent to the Mendocino State Mental Hospital. He was there in 1950.

Constable Irey was survived by his wife and eight children.