Officer John Ledbetter was killed when he attempted to disperse an unruly croud.

On June 10, 1903 at approximately 12:30 am, Officer Ledbetter passed a group of drunken men coming out of a tavern disturbing the peace. Officer Ledbetter caught up with the men and directed them to go home but they continued their disorderly behavior. Officer Ledbetter then attempted to arrest the leader of the group. During the ensuing struggle he was struck on the back of the head with a rock and fell to the ground while the men scattered. Officer Ledbetter was taken to St. John's Hospital for treatment of a severe skull fracture to the right side of his head. Surgery was attempted but he died at 12:20 am on June 10, 1903.

James Bailey and John McConnell were charged in the murder. John McConnell was acquitted and James Bailey was convicted in 1903 but Governor Folk granted a commutation of his sentence in 1906 after John McConnell admitted to the killing in a deathbed confession.