William Kirby, Chief

Jay Police Department

Shortly after noon on Saturday, November 23, 1974, Chief Kirby arrested Max Sharp, 39, for public drunkenness. As Sharp was being taken into jail, he began fighting with Chief Kirby and Deputy Sheriff Frank Jackson. The two officers struggled with their prisoner up three flights of stairs. Just as Chief Kirby, 42, put Sharp into a jail cell, Kirby collapsed and died from a heart attack. Kirby was survived by his wife and two daughters. Max Sharp was charged with first degree manslaughter in the Chief’s death.