Deputy Marshal Matthew Barnhill
Jesup Police Department
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 25, 1889
Deputy Marshal Matthew Barnhill and a man who was assisting him were shot and killed by a drunk man who was terrorizing citizens with a rifle. The suspect opened fire as several of his friends interfered with his arrest. The incident resulted in what became known as the Jesup Christmas Day Riot. In an attempt to find the suspect, a mob of Jesup citizens along with men from neighboring towns shot and killed several people. The suspect was shot and killed in Florida several months later.