Preston Van Buren Swanguen, a constable in Temecula, Riverside County, California, met a tragic end on December 24, 1907. Swanguen was well-known and respected in the small town, often seen as a calming presence. On Christmas Eve, while hosting a holiday dinner at his home, he was called to address a disturbance at a local pool hall. The trouble began when Joe Winkels, the owner of the establishment, had a confrontation with Horace Magee, a man known for his violent temper, especially when
drinking. Magee, who had been taunted and thrown out of the pool hall earlier, returned with a gun, escalating the situation.
Swanguen, believing his presence would be enough to defuse the tension, left his weapon at home and walked to the pool hall. Upon his arrival, Magee approached him with an outstretched hand, seemingly in a gesture of peace. However, as Swanguen turned to shake his hand, Magee drew his gun and shot the constable twice in the chest, killing him instantly. The chaos that ensued saw Louis Escallier, a prominent local businessman, also shot and killed by Magee as he tried to intervene.
The aftermath of the shooting was swift and brutal. A mob of townspeople chased Magee, eventually capturing him and beating him with a pool cue. Magee was arrested and later tried in a Riverside court, where he was convicted of the murders of Swanguen and Escallier. He was sentenced to life in prison at San Quentin but was paroled after serving 12 years.
Swanguen's death was a significant blow to the community, and his funeral was a somber event, with both he and Escallier being buried at the Temecula Cemetery. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the volatility of situations involving alcohol and personal grudges. Magee's conviction and subsequent parole also sparked discussions about justice and the adequacy of punishments for such violent crimes.
