Small-Town Police Chief Is Killed in Her Office
A man on horseback who had been drinking got upset when a small-town police chief took his gun away, and he shot her to death in her office with a second pistol, authorities said.
Charlie Vance, 61, rode away but was cornered by authorities in vehicles, police said. He was charged with murder in the slaying of Bradshaw Police Chief Cloie “Frankie” Stanton, 43.
Vance had ridden Thursday into Bradshaw, population 400, and was taken to the police station after he allegedly caused a disturbance outside a drugstore where he had gone to have a prescription filled. “He’d been drinking,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Shelton.
The police chief took a gun from Vance but missed a derringer tucked into a pouch strapped to his waist, Shelton said.
Vance allegedly pulled the derringer and shot Stanton. The shooting took place in front of Vance’s niece and nephew, who had come to the station after hearing about the disturbance.
“They said he was just sitting in the chair and when she went to answer the phone, or make a call, he jumped up and shot her,” Shelton said.
Vance then put the pistol back into the pouch and left the building, he said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
