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Officer Newton "Newt" C. Perkins became an officer of the Jackson Police Department in 1870.  Approximately six years into his law enforcement career on July 13, 1876, Officer Newton Perkins was shot and killed while attempting to question a man and two women who were acting suspicious.  Officer Perkins and another officer were standing in front of the police station on Market Street ( now known as Highland Ave.) and observing two men and two girls in a barber shop across the street.  Suspecting that the men were soliciting prostitutes, the officers watched the group until they left the barber shop.  The officers followed the group to the corner of Lafayette Street and Liberty Street where Officer Perkins stopped the two girls.  Officer Perkins observed one of the men standing a short distance away.

Officer Perkins approached the man and began searching him when the man suddenly broke free, pulled out a pistol, and shot him.  Officer Perkins was able to walk a half block away before collapsing.  The suspect fled but was arrested two miles away.  He was convicted of murdering Officer Perkins and sentenced to hang.  He was executed on July 13, 1877, exactly one year after the murder.

Officer Perkins was described as being an excellent officer, a bold and fearless man, faithful in his discharge of duty and exceedingly kind.  He was a very quiet man, cool and calm in danger, never rash or overbearing but always frim and determined.  He was popular and liked by all.

Officer Perkins was a veteran of the Confiderate Army and had served with the Jackson Police Department for six years before his untimely death.  He was survived by his wife and four children.