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Submitted: 12/23/22 • Approved: 12/30/22 • Last Updated: 1/2/23 • R1462213-G0-S3
January 11, 1882 - March 21, 1831
Husband of Kate Ellen May Booth
Samuel Booth was known as "Sam," and was a Detective for the Police Department at Fort Smith, Arkansas. He served 20 years for the Police Force, dying in the line of duty at age 48. Detective Booth was transporting two men to jail. Detective Booth and another Detective had stopped a car at Towson Avenue and South E. Street. The car contained two men known to the Detectives. The other Detective left the scene to go pick up the Captain. Detective Booth rode with the suspects in the suspects car to the Police Station. Unknown to the Detectives at the time, the suspects car was stolen. Immediately after turning onto Rogers Avenue, a shootout ensued, from within the suspects vehicle. Detective Booth was shot twice, stumbling out of the passenger's side of the car onto Rogers Avenue. He ran around to the drivers side of the vehicle, at that same time, both suspects exited on the passenger's side of the vehicle. One of the suspects fired at Detective Booth from across the front hood of the car, striking Detective Booth three more times. Although mortally wounded, he attempted to follow the men, but collapsed in a nearby car dealership's parking lot. He was transported to St. Edward Hospital, where he died 30 minutes later. Both suspects were apprehended and sentenced to Life in Prison.
Photo courtesy of Stone Shooter
Contributed on 12/23/22 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1462213