Albert Graves, Chief

Custer Police Department

About 1 A.M. on Tuesday, July 31, 1928, Chief Graves, 57, was called to the home of Buzz and Ella Wilson on a family quarrel. Buzz Wilson had already left prior to the Chief’s arrival. Ella Wilson was armed and waiting behind a hedge when the Chief arrived. Thinking it was her husband coming back to take the family car, Ella opened fire on the Chief killing him. Before he died, the Chief was able to return four shots of which one struck Ella in the leg. His wife, a son and four daughters survived Chief Graves. Ella Wilson was tried three times before being found guilty of killing the Chief but only served one year of her seven-year sentence.