In the late spring of 1927, a sense of unease settled over the small town of Gurdon, Arkansas. On the evening of Wednesday, May 25th, Town Marshal Robert C. Tyson, a White/Caucasian male, was on duty. Having served with the Gurdon Police Department for several years, he was a familiar and respected figure in the community. As he patrolled the outskirts of town, his attention was drawn to two men whose suspicious behavior on a highway just south of Gurdon prompted him to investigate further.
Marshal Tyson pulled his vehicle over and, in the line of duty, stepped out to question the individuals. In a sudden and violent turn of events, before he could fully engage with them, one of the men produced a handgun and opened fire. The shots found their mark, and Marshal Tyson was mortally wounded. Despite the gravity of his injuries, he was quickly transported to St. Vincent's Hospital in an effort to save his life. The dedicated efforts of the medical staff were ultimately in vain, and he succumbed to his wounds in the early hours of the following morning.
The brazen attack on a law enforcement officer spurred a swift response. It was not long before two suspects were apprehended in connection with the fatal shooting. The investigation that followed led to the conviction of the man who had fired the deadly shots. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and was subsequently sentenced to serve 21 years in prison for his crime. Marshal Tyson's untimely death left a void in the community and a deep loss for his family, which included his wife, son, three brothers, and three sisters.
