 Officer Claude M. EarleEnd of Watch: Tuesday, November 9, 1920 Biographical Information Incident Details |
Officer Claude M. Earle was shot and killed as he and another officer, Lee G. Parker, attempted to question a suspicious person. The officers were on foot patrol near the business district when they observed a man run into a shed near the Monroe Baking Company on Desiard Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets.
They approached the shed with their flashlights and asked what the man was doing, but were met with gunfire. Both officers returned fire but did not strike the suspect because he was concealed behind a crate. The suspect shot at both officers again, striking Officer Earle in the side under his left arm and the bullet traveled through his lung before lodging in his spine which resulted in him being partially paralyzed. Officer Earle succumbed to his wound later that night.
The unknown suspect then fled the scene on foot and was never apprehended.
Officer Earle had served with the Monroe Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife; one daughter, Claudia Naomi (2 years old); father, J.H. Earle (Palestine, TX); two brothers, Roy W. and Elmer Earle (Monroe); and two sisters, Floryne and Ethel Earle (Palestine, TX).
Officer Earle body was transported to Palestine, Texas by train under the escort of Monroe Police Officer Frank Petit, his widow, Mrs. Earle, his father, J. H. Earle and other relatives. He was laid to rest next to his mother.
