Sheriff Albert Woodard McCorkle

Albert Woodard McCorkle

Sheriff Albert McCorkle died the day after being shot by a teenager that he had just escorted from a saloon.

The teenager was involved in a fight in the saloon and Sheriff McCorkle escorted the boy out and told him to go home. Before the teenager was able to leave, the two were overtaken by a drunken mob. The teenager, fearing for his life, drew his pistol and fired, but struck Sheriff McCorkle who died the following day. The suspect was able to elude capture despite a $1,000 reward until he surrendered himself in October 1883.

Sheriff McCorkle had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for four years.