In the early spring of 1904, the community of Columbia, Kentucky, was shaken by the violent death of one of its own. Marvin Conover, a 26-year-old white male serving as a Deputy Jailer for Adair County, was killed in the line of duty. His life was cut short on March 29, 1904, while he was attempting to serve a warrant.
The events leading to Conover's death began when he accompanied a deputy sheriff to a home in the northern part of the county to serve a warrant on a man for failure to
appear in court. As darkness fell, the lawmen decided to stay the night at the man's home with the intention of returning to the courthouse in the morning. During the night, the brother of the man under arrest, Albert Burton, arrived and declared that the officers would not be taking his brother into custody.
The following morning, as Deputy Jailer Conover, the deputy, and the prisoner began their journey to the courthouse, tragedy struck. Just a few steps from the house, Albert Burton emerged from behind a large tree and fired a 12-gauge shotgun, striking and killing Conover. In the ensuing chaos, the deputy sheriff returned fire as both the prisoner and his brother, Albert, escaped into the nearby woods.
A search for Albert Burton was immediately launched. He was eventually captured, only to escape from jail shortly after. His freedom was short-lived, as he was apprehended again in Tennessee and returned to Adair County to face justice. Burton was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. However, after serving 18 years, he became ill and was released. He died a short time later. Marvin Conover was laid to rest in Haven Hill Cemetery.
