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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Saturday, February 10, 1979
11:45 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
1 day
Incident Location:
11514 U.S. 41, Farmersburg
Incident County:
Sullivan
Incident Township:
Curry
Weapon Used:
Officer's handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Discharged in 2002

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Shelburn Police Department

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Town Marshal Clarence Marion Kistner

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Town Marshal
Clarence Marion Kistner
Shelburn Police Department
Sunday, February 11, 1979

Panel 3W, Line 10
Panel L24, Line 5

   Town Marshal Clarence Kistner was shot and killed with his own weapon while struggling with a man suspected of drunken driving outside of a tavern in Farmersburg.

   While assisting other officers, the 37-year-old suspect was able to gain control of Marshal Kistner's .357-caliber revolver and shot him. He was taken to Mary Sherman Hospital in Sullivan where he died shortly after midnight.

   The suspect was then taken into custody by a deputy sheriff who was also struggling with the man. He was subsequently convicted of murder, sentenced to 40 years in prison and later discharged in 2000.

   Town Marshal Kistner was survived by his daughter and sister.

Military Service


United States Navy
Korean War ▪ Vietnam War
Steelworker Petty Officer First Class (SW1)
1952–1965 ▪ 1974–1976


Personal Details

Age: 43
Law Enforcement Service:
Burial Place:
Little Flock Cemetery, Shelburn