Type of Officer: Chief of Police
Jurisdiction: Garnett
County: Anderson
Death Date: 7/22/1947
Added to Memorial: 1987
Circumstances of Death: Gunshot
Garnett Chief of Police Payne stopped a speeder in Garnett. The suspect, Edward Smerchek, while seated in his car, shot and killed Payne. He fled but was located by the sheriff, the undersheriff, and the fire chief. As the three drove into Smerchek’s yard, shots were fired and the undersheriff and fire chief were wounded. Smerchek had just been released from the army on a medical discharge and was drunk at the time of the shootings.
Panel: 15