On February 5, 1937, Constable John Washington Irey, of Liberty township, was called to investigate a transient who had been living in a shed on a ranch and refused to move despite several requests by the owner. As Constable Irey approached a farm shed, the suspect came out with a sawed off shotgun and killed him without saying a word, striking him in the chest. Irey turned to run and the suspect fired again, felling the constable. The suspect was apprehended an hour later near the ranch after being shot in the leg by a pursuing Constable.

When asked why he shot Irey, the only reason he gave was “he was going to bother me.”