The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-07-28
Special Policeman Turpin Shot
and Killed Instantly BY
Ridley Reed.
SLAYER KILLED BY
CHIEF OF POLICE LINK
Quick Action of Officer Saves
Him From Becoming a
Victim.

AS the result of an attempt to ar
rest Ridley Reed, colored, in the ne
gro suburb of Lylesville, yesterday af-
ternoon, Special Policeman S. M. Tur-
pin was killed by Reed, who was him.
self shot and mortally wounded by
Chief of Police Link.
Reed, who was the owner of several
pieces of property in Lylesville, had
figured in police records for many
years, and was regarded as danger
Gus man. Some years ago, while un-
der the influence of liquor, he shot
at his wife and killed his mother-in-
law, who had come in in an effort to
preserve peace. For this he was tri-
ed, convicted and sentenced to TWEEN
fy-one years in the penitentiary. At
ter serving twelve years he was re-
leased under the parole law, and re-
turned to this city, where he was re-
garded as a desperate character and
mentally unbalanced. Some months
ago he was arrested on lunacy
warrant, but at the trial was acquit-
ted
Sunday morning Reed went on a
rampage in Lylesville, and had things
practically his own way, threatening
to kill anyone who interfered with
him. His neighbors said that he was
crazy dunk, and were afraid to send
word to the police. Reed kept up his
orgie, making the neighborhood un-
tenable save for anyone but himself,
and on Monday the police were noti-
fed.
Chief of Police Fred Link, accom-
panied by Patrolman King and Speci-
al Officer Turpin went to the scene,
and upon arriving, were informed that
Reed had barricaded himself in his
home and was armed with a shot
gun loaded with buckshot. Station
ing Patrolman King at one door and
placing Turpin to guard the exit, Link
went to the side of the house. Tur-
pin advanced toward the steps, when
suddenly, Reed, who had concealed
himself behind curtain, fired
through the window at close range
with the shotgun. The heavy charge
struck Turpin in the breast, going di-
rectly through the heart, and leaving
a gaping wound. He fell forward
dead.
Hearing the shot Chief of Police
Link ran toward the steps and as he
came up Reed, who had left his place
of concealment, came running down
the steps with drawn shotgun pointed
directly at the officer. Link, who had
draw his revolver upon hearing the
shot, quickly got the drop on the Graz
ed negro. and fired twice, the bullets
striking lust above the right eye, and
penetrating the brain. The negro
pitched forward, the shotgun with
which he had intended killing the
officer falling at the latter's feet
Had Link been a second later, he
would have shared the fate of Turpin
Turpin was elected Constable OF the
Paris Precinct at the last election
and had Just been appointed as a spe
cial officer for extra duty on the po
lice force He was appointed an6
sworn in as a special officer to act fol
day or two only, during the alb
sence of Patrolman Elgin, who wa:
off duty a day or so on account OF {
slight illness. He had just assumed
his new duties Saturday For some
wear before becoming an officer h'
conducted a restaurant near the l.. {
n. junction, and later had lunch
stand in Eighth street. He leaves ;
wife and several children. He was ;
member of Central Lodge No. 8, l. 0
o. F., of Danville, and was an office
in the local lodge of Junior order
American Mechanics.
The slain negro had an unenviabl
record, and the prediction was IRE
quently made that he would eventual
ly cause serious trouble unless re
strained or confined in an asylum.
Coroner Davis will hold an inques
at the Court House Thursday morn
ing. when the circumstances OF tn
killing will be brought out.