In the spring of 1901, the town of Danville, Kentucky, was shaken by the violent death of one of its own lawmen. John T. Crum, a 53-year-old White/Caucasian male, served as an officer with the Danville Police Department. On April 10, 1901, Officer Crum was tasked with investigating illegal alcohol sales at a local establishment. With four years of service under his belt, he proceeded to the bar to serve a warrant on the owner.
Upon Officer Crum's arrival, the atmosphere in the bar
reportedly grew tense, with four patrons quickly making their exit. This left Officer Crum alone with the proprietor, a man identified as Reuben Quinn. A struggle broke out between the two men, which tragically culminated in Quinn brandishing a handgun and firing two shots into Officer Crum's chest. The officer succumbed to his wounds at the scene. He was survived by his wife and ten children.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Reuben Quinn fled the scene, sparking a manhunt. His freedom was short-lived, however, as he was apprehended just three days later while on a train between Georgetown and Ludlow. The wheels of justice turned swiftly, and a mere ten days after his arrest, a jury convicted Quinn of Officer Crum's murder and recommended the death penalty. On December 20, 1901, Reuben Quinn was executed by hanging in the courthouse yard for the murder of Officer John T. Crum.
