In the early spring of 1925, a grim discovery was made in a cemetery near Starks, Louisiana, sending shockwaves through the community of Calcasieu Parish. The bodies of Deputy Sheriff Samuel E. Duhon, a male, and Federal Prohibition Agent William Collins were found riddled with bullets inside their vehicle. The two law enforcement officers had been ambushed while on their way to conduct a raid on an illegal liquor still, a dangerous but common task during the era of Prohibition. Their failure to return from their assignment prompted a search by fellow agents, which led to the tragic finding the following day.
The investigation into the brutal slayings pointed to a carefully planned attack. Duhon and Collins were killed near Vinton, and their government car was then driven several miles to the cemetery in an attempt to obscure the actual location of the crime. Authorities worked diligently to piece together the events that led to the deaths of the two officers. Their efforts soon focused on a pair of brothers who were suspected of being involved in the illicit alcohol trade that Duhon and Collins were working to dismantle.
The evidence against the two brothers proved to be substantial enough for them to be taken into custody. They were subsequently arrested and faced prosecution on state charges for the murders of both Deputy Sheriff Duhon and Agent Collins. The trial that followed captured the attention of the public as the details of the cold-blooded ambush were laid bare. Ultimately, the court found both brothers guilty of the murders.
In the aftermath of the convictions, the scales of justice delivered a severe penalty. Both brothers were sentenced to death for their roles in the killing of the two lawmen. One of the convicted murderers was executed by hanging on January 27, 1928. The sentence for the other brother was later commuted to a life term in prison, bringing a close to a case that highlighted the perils faced by those enforcing the nation's Prohibition laws.
