End of Watch: 06/25/1895
Agency: Sprague Police Department
County: Lincoln County
On Tuesday, June 25, 1895, Deputy Marshal Louis Conlee of the Sprague Police Department was transporting a prisoner from Sprague to Ritzville on horseback. The prisoner hid a small handgun hidden inside his boot. He retrieved it when Deputy Marshal Conlee wasn’t paying attention and shot him at close range.
The suspect hid the marshal’s body in sage brush along the road they were traveling. The remains weren’t discovered for several days.
After an intense search, the suspect was located in Montana and brought back to Washington to face charges. He was convicted of murder.
Deputy Marshal Conlee served with Sprague Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents and twin sister.