City Marshal Clarence D. Spence

Clarence D. Spence

City Marshal Clarence Spence was shot and killed while searching for a still with several Hickman County deputy sheriffs.

The group had stopped at a home for a drink of water, which was given to them by the homeowner's wife. As they left the woman fired a gun three times as a signal to the homeowner. As the officers attempted to cross a field they were confronted by the homeowner who asked if they had a warrant. Marshal Spence answered they were only crossing the field, at which point the man opened fire with a shotgun, killing him.

The man later committed suicide.

Marshal Spence was also commissioned as a deputy marshal with the United States Marshals Service and had previously served with the Hickman County Sheriff's Office. He was survived by his wife.