In the summer of 1905, a Decatur, Alabama police officer named William Amslom Baber, a 41-year-old White male, lost his life in the line of duty. The fatal encounter occurred on Sunday, July 2, when Officer Baber, known as "Billy," was called to assist a fellow officer. The other officer had taken two men into custody for fighting in front of a hotel on Lafayette Street.
As the first officer was searching one of the apprehended men, the other, a man named Percie Couch, made a break for
it and fled on foot. Officer Baber responded to the call for assistance to help take the fleeing suspect into custody. He located Couch hiding behind a nearby billboard at the intersection of Lafayette and Railroad Street. When Officer Baber ordered him to come out, Couch issued a threat, warning that he would kill the officer if he approached. Undeterred, Officer Baber advanced his position, at which point Couch opened fire with a. 44 caliber Colt revolver, shooting the officer four times.
The gravely wounded Officer Baber was first taken to the nearby railroad depot for medical attention and then moved to his home, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. His assailant, Percie Couch, managed to escape the city, but his freedom was short-lived. He was apprehended four days later in Winchester, Tennessee, and brought back to Decatur to face justice.
Upon his return, a crowd of over 3,000 people, many reportedly carrying ropes, had gathered at the train depot, a testament to the community's outrage over the loss of three officers in a short period. The local sheriff and chief of police were able to spirit Couch away from the mob and secure him in the Morgan County Jail. However, on September 28, 1906, before he could be brought to trial for the murder of Officer Baber, Percie Couch escaped from the jail and was never seen again.
