In Columbia, Mississippi, Patrolman Leonard Conerely’s life was cut short in the line of duty. While on patrol, he responded to a report of a man armed with a gun. The suspect had reportedly entered a bank carrying a pistol and a knife.
Patrolman Conerely located the man walking on a nearby street, now armed with a shotgun. As the patrolman approached, the suspect fired the shotgun, striking Conerely in the head.
The assailant then used his pistol to fire at other officers who were arriving at the scene before he was ultimately taken into custody.
The man responsible for Patrolman Conerely's death, identified as a 28-year-old, was later convicted of capital murder and aggravated assault. On May 29, 1980, he was sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison. Patrolman Conerely had served with the Columbia Police Department for seven years and was survived by his wife and three children.
