In the late autumn of 1936, a sense of duty called Police Officer Benjamin T. 'Benny' McDonald to a disturbance in the Lanett Triangle area. At 27 years old, he, along with another officer, responded to a report of a drunk driver on Sunday, November 15th. As they approached the vehicle and Officer McDonald ordered the driver to stop, the passenger suddenly opened fire with a shotgun. Both officers were struck by the gunfire.
The two wounded officers were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. For six days, Officer McDonald fought for his life, but his injuries proved too severe. On Saturday, November 21, 1936, Benjamin McDonald succumbed to his wounds, leaving behind a wife and two children. His death cast a somber shadow over the community he had sworn to protect.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two suspects were apprehended and ultimately faced justice for their actions. Both individuals were convicted of second-degree murder and received sentences of 25 years in prison. However, a year after the conviction, one of the assailants was granted a new trial, which resulted in a significantly reduced sentence of two and a half years.
