FALLEN BROWN COUNTY LAWMEN Brownwood Police Department William Clarence “Jack” Fuston – born 24 March 1912 – died 3 of February 1939 Officer Jack Fuston and two other lawmen went to a local tourist camp located on the outskirts of Brownwood to search for a prisoner who escaped from the Palo Pinto Jail. When they confronted the suspect, a man named William Thomas Haley Jr., he denied that he was a person they were looking for. Pretending to reach for identification papers to prove his claim, Haley instead drew a gun and shot Fuston four times, killing him instantly. Haley dashed into the bathroom. The other officers returned fire, emptying their pistols into the closed door. They managed to wound Haley, who escaped through the window. Haley was apprehended between Dublin and Stephenville about noon the following day after he leapt from an automobile that he had stolen at gunpoint from a man in Dublin. Haley was sporting gunshot wounds in both arms and legs from the tourist camp encounter with officers at the Fuston shooting site. Mayor Wendell Mayes said at the time, Jack Fuston was a capable, popular, and efficient officer. He was alert in the performance of his duty, amiable in his relations with his associated and friends, and considerate of those whom he was required to bring to justice. The City can ill afford to lose such an officer; Brownwood can ill afford the loss of such a citizen. To his family, the city joins the citizenship in extending sympathy, knowing full well that nothing can be said or done to diminish the shock and sorrow of such a loss. To all, we give assurance that nothing will be left undone to apprehend the criminal and bring him to justice. Haley was apprehended between Dublin and Stephenville about noon the following day after he leapt from an automobile that he had stolen at gunpoint from a man in Dublin. Haley was sporting gunshot wounds in both arms and legs from the tourist camp encounter with officers at the Fuston shooting site. Fuston was survived by his wife. He is buried at the Greenleaf Cemetery. Sources; Texas Lawmen 1900-1940 by C.R. Caldwell & Ron DeLord, Brownwood Bulletin.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:31:20 +0000
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