In the town of Madisonville, Kentucky, Clifton Hopkins Slaton, a 50-year-old man, served as a Night Patrolman. His life came to a sudden and violent end on Friday, February 1, 1901, after three years on the force. The events that led to his death began when he and another officer attempted to arrest a man for carrying a pistol. The suspect and an acquaintance were both intoxicated and had initially agreed to leave town.
After riding a short distance away, the two men changed their minds
and returned to a hitching post. Patrolman Slaton and his fellow officer were alerted that the men had come back and that one of them was armed. They proceeded to the hitching post to place the armed man under arrest. When the officers informed the suspect of his arrest, he quickly drew a handgun from his overcoat pocket and began shooting.
Patrolman Slaton returned fire, and in the ensuing exchange, both he and the suspect were fatally wounded. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Patrolman Slaton was survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons.
