William Crayton Newberry, a 44-year-old night policeman in Alachua, Florida, tragically lost his life on August 2, 1917. On the night of his death, Newberry was patrolling the streets and checking local businesses in the early morning hours. During his rounds, he encountered a man leaving the backdoor of a closed store. When Newberry stopped the man, the suspect claimed that an accomplice was still inside the store. As Newberry began to search the man, a struggle ensued.
The suspect managed to gain control of Newberry's service weapon and shot him. Newberry succumbed to his injuries later that night.
Following the incident, a posse captured the suspect. While being transported to jail in Gainesville by the sheriff and a deputy, the suspect was confronted by a mob. The mob took control of the suspect, who then confessed to the murder of Policeman Newberry. The suspect was subsequently returned to jail and later convicted of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison but was pardoned on December 3, 1930.
Newberry had only served as a night policeman for a few weeks and was also a deputy sheriff with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. His dedication to his duty and his ultimate sacrifice were recognized by his law enforcement brethren, who continue to honor his memory. The details of his ethnicity were not specified in the available sources.
