In the winter of 1903, the long and dedicated career of Sheriff Louis Ory of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, came to a sudden and violent end. The 56-year-old lawman, who had served his community for 23 years, was killed in the line of duty on January 26th.
On that fateful day, Sheriff Ory was attempting to apprehend a fugitive who was wanted in the neighboring Jefferson Parish. As he moved to make the arrest, the suspect produced a weapon and fired a single shot. The bullet struck Sheriff Ory in the temple, killing him instantly.
In the aftermath of the sheriff's murder, a posse was quickly formed to track down the fugitive. According to a local newspaper account from the time, the determined group pursued the suspect relentlessly. The manhunt concluded with the suspect's death; his body was later found riddled with bullets. Because the suspect was killed, no arrest was ever made in connection with Sheriff Ory's death.
