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Incident
Constable Frank Kinstley and Sheriff Groves Hammett were shot and killed by two brothers who had gone on a shooting rampage in the tiny town of Harriston, Mississippi.
The two brothers had become drunk and taken narcotics while gambling with other men. After losing money, the two brothers opened fire on the other gamblers, killing several men and a woman. The brothers then went to the local railroad station and opened fire on railroad employees, killing a conductor.
After shooting several other people, they went to Constable Kinstley's home and woke him up by calling him to the door. When he opened the door, they immediately shot him, killing him and wounding his son.
Other citizens had called Sheriff Hammett in Fayette, who immediately responded with his father, who was a sheriff's deputy, and the court clerk. When they arrived in Harriston, they were told the two brothers had gone into a nearby home. As they approached the house, they were ambushed by one of the brothers who was hiding underneath a nearby building. Sheriff Hammett was killed, and the court clerk was wounded. The two brothers then holed up in the house. A responding posse fired an estimated 3,000 shots into the home.
One of the brothers was killed. The second was captured and then lynched by the posse.
The two brothers had killed nine people: seven citizens, Constable Frank Kinstley, and Sheriff Groves Hammett. Fifteen people were seriously wounded.
Constable Kinstley had served with the Jefferson County Constable's Office for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Kinstley gave the Jefferson County Constable's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Kinstley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Benjamin is the only officer of Jefferson County Constable's Office remembered here.
Benjamin is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 5 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 43. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Benjamin had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Benjamin was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.7% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jefferson County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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