End of Watch Monday, February 27, 1933
An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon
By Mike Simmons
At 2:15 PM on Tuesday, February 27, 1933, Sergeant William A. Shackleford died from wounds he received during a fight with a suspect several weeks earlier. He had been a member of the Pensacola Police Department for twenty years. He was 66 years old.
William Shackleford was born in the town of Stockton, Alabama in Baldwin County. When he was a young man, he sought after an opportunity in the railroad industry, which was booming. He soon found himself in the growing town of Pensacola. He liked it there and decided to settle. Besides, his grandfather, N. C. Shackleford, was a local judge in town.
He immediately found himself involved with local politics and associations that sought to improve the profession of railroad engineers. He served on the Board of Engineers, Escambia County Elections Inspector, a founding member of the Blount Club, and the president of the local SBA #1. But his crowing accomplishment was when he became a Pensacola Police Officer.
In 1929, Shackleford, known affectionately as “Chip,” was promoted to Sergeant and took over the duties of the desk at the station. In 1932, Sgt. Shackleford was demoted to patrolman by incoming Chief Albert Anderson.
On the evening of January 15, 1933, a report was made to the police station that an elderly minister, Rev. W. L. Haygood, had been attacked[1]. Officers hurried to the aid of the man. When the officers contacted Haygood, they discovered the old preacher’s throat had been cut moments before. He described the incident as such: He was walking to church on East Wright Street when he was approached by a man who began to abuse him. Rev. Haygood told the man that he didn’t want any trouble, and he continued to walk. The perpetrator then produced a knife and cut the old minister’s throat. The suspect ran off.
About 7:30 on the same evening, Assistant Chief A. O. Godwin and Special Officer Ollie Everett located the man about a block from the scene. Godwin approached the man, who identified himself as W. E. Crittenden from Evergreen, Alabama. Godwin informed him that he was under arrest for Assault to Commit Murder and Drunkenness. Crittenden produced a knife, but the veteran officer immediately took it away from him and, with the help of Officer Everett, took him into custody.
When Haygood was shown the suspect, Haygood positively identified him as the perpetrator. They turned Crittenden over to Corporal Connors and Officer Shackleford, who were driving the patrol wagon. Connors was driving and Shackleford accompanied the suspect in the rear of the wagon. While enroute to the station, Crittenden attacked Officer Shackleford and slammed his skull against the wagon, causing a severe cranial injury. When Shackleford called for help, Connors stopped the wagon and ran to the rear of the wagon to assist. Connors opened the rear wagon door and Crittenden jumped on him. He yelled, “My time has come. I’m going to kill all of you!”
Left with no other option, Connors pulled his gun. A brief struggle ensued for possession of the weapon, but Connors was able to shoot Crittenden. The injured Shackleford shot him two more times. Crittenden was struck in the chest twice and the stomach once. Crittenden fell back to the street and said, “You got me.”
Fortunately, Rev. Haygood’s injuries didn’t end his life. He slowly improved and was considered out of danger on January 22. On the same day, Crittenden was released from the hospital and taken to the city jail. In addition to the original charges of Assault with Attempt to Murder and Drunkenness, he was also charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest. Officer Shackleford, who went home that night, continued to decline.
On January 26, Crittenden appeared in court before Judge C. Moreno Jones. He admitted to his deeds and pleaded guilty to all charges. Judge Moreno sentenced him to 10 years in the state prison in Raiford, Florida.
Twelve days after he was injured, Officer Shackleford was reinstated to his former sergeant position. But he never improved. On Saturday, January 28, Sergeant Shackleford came back to his old job at the Desk Sergeant’s office to a hero’s welcome. It would be his last day.
On Thursday, February 3, Crittenden appeared again in the courtroom of Judge Moreno Jones. Crittenden’s friends from Gainesville and Montgomery appeared in court and vouched for his character and honesty. They paid a fine of $150, and Judge Jones reduced the sentence and set him free. He left immediately for Alabama.
On Monday, February 6, Sgt. Shackleford’s condition reached such a depth that he was rushed to the hospital, as he needed surgery. When he arrived, however, his condition was described as so serious that surgery was not an option. He continued to decline.
On Monday, February 27, 1933, at 2:15 PM, Sergeant William Shackleford died from the injuries he received[2]. He was survived by his son Nathan and three brothers, Frank, W. E. and C. E.
The city was in shock. Chip Shackleford was an icon. Everyone expected to see the old man at the sergeant’s desk, immaculately dressed in his crisp uniform, but it was to be no more.
On March 1, A committee was named to draw up a resolution of respect for the old sergeant. The resolution was spread on the court docket.
Two descendants of Sgt. Shackleford live in Pensacola: a great-grandson, Calvin C. Caro Sr., and a great-great-grandson, Calvin C. Caro, Jr.
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[1] Pensacola News Journal. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352602203/?terms=Shackleford
[2] Pensacola News Journal. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352603443/?terms=Shackleford&match=1