In the line of duty, 38-year-old male Chief of Detectives John 'Jack' Donahue of the Hot Springs Police Department met a tragic end on Christmas Day in 1902. With at least three years of service to his community, his final moments were spent attempting to apprehend a suspect wanted for assaulting a woman with an axe.
As Chief Donahue approached the man on a local street, the situation escalated rapidly.
The suspect, unwilling to be taken into custody, drew a revolver and fired at the detective. A single shot to the head killed Chief Donahue instantly, his life taken in a sudden act of violence.
The man responsible for the chief's death was subsequently arrested and faced the consequences of his actions. He was convicted of murder for the killing of Chief Donahue. However, he would not serve a lengthy sentence. While in his jail cell, the convicted murderer took his own life, bringing a grim conclusion to the case that ended a dedicated officer's life.
