Rural Police Officer Elliott Harris was shot and killed after he stopped a man and his wife in their car on Highway 21 near Fort Mill and attempted to arrest the man for reckless driving.
As a struggle ensued with the man, his wife snatched Officer Harris' revolver from his holster and shot him four times. Unable to start their car, the couple took the slain officer's car and sped on to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they surrendered to the Charlotte Police.
The slaying immediately evolved into a triple tragedy. The woman's mother suffered a heart attack and died when she was told the news. A man racing by motorcycle to tell Officer Harris' wife of his death, collided with an automobile and was killed instantly.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. Because she was pregnant her execution date was to be determined after she delivered her child. Public outrage over a mother being executed persuaded Governor Ibra C. Blackwood to commute her sentence to life January 10, 1933. She was pardoned by Governor Olin D. Johnston April 10, 1945. For his part in the murder, her husband was sentenced to seven months in prison.
Officer Harris was survived by his wife and four children.
Article provided by Amy Y. Jones.
Parental links provided by SuzanneTF.
Rural Police Officer Elliott Harris was shot and killed after he stopped a man and his wife in their car on Highway 21 near Fort Mill and attempted to arrest the man for reckless driving.
As a struggle ensued with the man, his wife snatched Officer Harris' revolver from his holster and shot him four times. Unable to start their car, the couple took the slain officer's car and sped on to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they surrendered to the Charlotte Police.
The slaying immediately evolved into a triple tragedy. The woman's mother suffered a heart attack and died when she was told the news. A man racing by motorcycle to tell Officer Harris' wife of his death, collided with an automobile and was killed instantly.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. Because she was pregnant her execution date was to be determined after she delivered her child. Public outrage over a mother being executed persuaded Governor Ibra C. Blackwood to commute her sentence to life January 10, 1933. She was pardoned by Governor Olin D. Johnston April 10, 1945. For his part in the murder, her husband was sentenced to seven months in prison.
Officer Harris was survived by his wife and four children.
Article provided by Amy Y. Jones.
Parental links provided by SuzanneTF.
Family Members
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Cornelia Harris Case
1897–1971
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Alice Elizabeth Harris Harvey
1898–1943
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John Robert Harris
1900–1938
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Stanhope Alexander Harris Sr
1902–1958
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Thomas Kirkpatrick Harris
1905–1970
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Sarah Adelaide Harris Brockwell
1909–1944
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Olive Perry "Ollie" Harris Stewart
1911–2005
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1LT James Mack Harris Sr
1913–1944
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Hugh Orr Harris
1918–1991
