Section 15-10-4
Arrest without warrant – Duty of arresting officer; authority of officer to break and enter dwelling house.
When arresting a person without a warrant, the officer must inform of his authority and the cause of arrest, except when the person is arrested in the actual commission of a public offense or on pursuit. In making a warrantless arrest, an officer has authority to break open an outer or inner door or window of a dwelling house if, after notice of his office and purpose, he is refused admittance.
(Code 1852, §446; Code 1867, §3995; Code 1876, §4665; Code 1886, §4263; Code 1896, §5212; Code 1907, §6270; Code 1923, §3264; Code 1940, T. 15, §155.)