In the small community of Owl City, Tennessee, a church service was disrupted by three brothers causing a disturbance. Several members of the congregation reported the disruption to a local deputy. In response, the deputy enlisted the help of Richard 'Dick' Burrus, deputizing him on the spot to assist in arresting the three men. The two officers then escorted the brothers out of the church.
As they were leaving the building, one of the brothers suddenly pulled out a handgun and fired at both deputies. Richard 'Dick' Burrus was wounded in the shooting, which occurred on Sunday, November 22, 1908. He succumbed to his injuries the next day. This male lawman had only been a special deputy for a single day before his death.
Following the shooting, all three brothers were apprehended and taken to the jail in Tiptonville. However, after word of Special Deputy Burrus's death spread, a mob formed and took the suspects from the jail. The mob then returned the three brothers to Owl City and lynched them inside the very church where the initial confrontation had taken place.
