In the late hours of a February night in 1979, the life of Shelburn Town Marshal Clarence M. Kistner, a 43-year-old white male, was tragically cut short. On February 10th, outside a tavern in the nearby town of Farmersburg, Marshal Kistner was assisting other officers with a suspected drunk driver. A struggle ensued, and the suspect, a 37-year-old man, managed to gain control of Kistner's. 357-caliber revolver. A single, fatal shot was fired, striking the marshal.
Kistner was a United States Navy veteran, having served during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and had been with the Shelburn Police Department for over two years. His dedication to service was evident in his commitment to his community, a commitment that ultimately cost him his life.
The suspect was immediately apprehended at the scene by a deputy sheriff who was also involved in the altercation. He was subsequently charged with murder for the death of Marshal Kistner. A passenger in the suspect's vehicle was also arrested for public intoxication. The man responsible for Marshal Kistner's death was later convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was released in the year 2000 after serving a significant portion of his sentence.
