Trooper Hammond was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to jail. He and another trooper had arrested two men for stealing a car. The second trooper was transporting the second suspect in the stolen car when he noticed that Trooper Hammond was no longer following him. When he turned around he located the car and was fired upon by the suspect.
The suspect had managed to conceal a handgun in his pant leg and overpowered Trooper Hammond before shooting him execution style. The suspect later pled guilty and was sentenced to life. He died in prison of cancer July 9, 1951.