On December 26, 1951, Sheriff Hal Singleton and Undersheriff Lyle Sale were enroute to Sacramento from Glenn County to pick up a prisoner.  Their vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle on Highway 99 south of Maxwell.  Sheriff Singleton was killed instantly.  Undersheriff Sale sustained major injuries.

Sheriff Singleton was born in Fruto, Glenn County in 1899.  He enlisted in the US Army in 1917 to serve his country in World War I.  After his discharge he returned to Glenn County.  Singleton was elected Sheriff of Glenn County three times: 1942, 1946 and 1950.  At the time of his death he was President-Elect of the California State Sheriffs Association.