In the early winter of 1915 in Anniston, Alabama, Police Officer Marion Screws was involved in a fatal gunfight that also took the life of his fellow officer, Clarence B. Kettles. The violent encounter unfolded on West 10th Street, forever marking a dark chapter in the city's history. Officer Kettles succumbed to his injuries on Monday, February 1, 1915, and Officer Screws passed away the following day, on Tuesday, February 2, 1915.
The two officers were engaged in a shootout with a male suspect. The circumstances that led to the exchange of gunfire are not detailed in the available information, but the outcome was the tragic loss of two of Anniston's law enforcement officers. The community was left to mourn the sacrifice of these men who died in the line of duty.
In the aftermath of the deadly confrontation, the suspect was apprehended and faced legal proceedings. The individual responsible for the deaths of Officer Screws and Officer Kettles was ultimately convicted on a charge of manslaughter. The conviction resulted in a sentence of one year in prison for the perpetrator. The brevity of the sentence stands in stark contrast to the profound and permanent loss experienced by the families of the fallen officers and the community they served.
