In the summer of 1948, a routine act of law enforcement in Rector, Arkansas, tragically ended the life of City Marshal Tom Green. While on duty, Marshal Green, accompanied by the night marshal, escorted a man out of a pool hall whom they had just arrested for causing a disturbance. In a sudden and violent turn of events, the arrested man's brother approached the officers, managed to seize Marshal Green's own pistol, and fired it at him four times.
The night marshal reacted quickly, returning fire and wounding the gunman. Despite the immediate response, Marshal Green's injuries proved fatal. He had served the Rector Police Department for a year and was survived by his wife and three children.
The aftermath of the shooting saw both brothers facing the consequences of their actions. The gunman, who was 28 years old at the time, was convicted of first-degree murder on September 17, 1948, and received a life sentence in prison. His 22-year-old brother, who had initially caused the disturbance, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was later paroled on July 6, 1955.
