In the quiet town of Mena, Arkansas, a dedicated public servant's life was tragically cut short in the line of duty. Deputy Sheriff Bill Jean Lea, a 42-year-old White male, responded to a call on April 29, 1976, that would ultimately be his last. A woman had called the Polk County Sheriff's Office, reporting that her estranged husband was at her home.
Deputy Lea, accompanied by the Polk County Sheriff, proceeded to the residence to serve divorce papers.
Upon their arrival, the husband's vehicle was nowhere in sight. As Deputy Lea stepped onto the porch with the sheriff positioned nearby, the wife opened the door. From within the house, a man's voice chillingly declared, 'I'm going to kill you!'. In a shocking turn of events, the husband emerged from behind his wife, brandishing a. 38 caliber handgun. He fired a single shot, striking Deputy Lea in the chest.
The sheriff immediately sprang into action, wrestling the firearm from the assailant's grasp and pulling him from the house. A prolonged and intense struggle ensued before the sheriff could finally subdue and handcuff the suspect. Despite the swift response and efforts to help him, Deputy Sheriff Bill Jean Lea succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He left behind a wife and five children.
The man who took his life was promptly taken into custody. Following the investigation, he was tried and convicted for the murder of Deputy Lea. A judge sentenced him to life in prison for the senseless act of violence that took the life of a respected lawman.
