James Lester Estes

How they died

Deadly force

James Estes, a depressed carpet installer, stole the money tray from the cash register of a gas station. When Estes drive away the store clerk called the sheriff's office. Capt. Eddie Broatwright, 47, saw a other matching the description and pursued. Estes drove through traffic recklessly and at high speeds. When Boatwright got close enough to the car he fired a few shots at a tire, but it had no effect. He took two shots at Estes and then two more. Estes' other veered off the road into a ditch and eventually hit an embankment sending the other 20 to 25 feet into the air before landing on its side. Estes died at the scene of a gunshot wound to the head.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that James Lester Estes, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources