The Last Full Measure: Law Enforcement Deaths in Arizona

By Paul Lawton

The book chronicles the death of law enforcement officers in Arizona.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543913002

Book preview

The Last Full Measure

Law Enforcement Deaths in Arizona

Paul Lawton

Print ISBN: 9781543912999

eBook ISBN: 9781543913002

First edition copyright 1985 by Paul J. Lawton

Second edition copyright 1995 by Paul J. Lawton

Third edition copyright 2009 by Paul J. Lawton

Fourth Edition copyright 2017 by Paul J. Lawton

All Photos, unless otherwise listed: Courtesy Arizona Historical Society

Cover Photo by: Erin Lawton

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Last Full Measure

Appendix One

Appendix Two

Appendix Three

Appendix Four

INTRODUCTION

Dispatch: 893

(Silence)

Dispatch: 893

Voice: Radio, 893 is 10-7

Dispatch: God bless and rest in peace 893

- From the funeral of Pima County Deputy Sheriff Timothy Graham.

This was the last send off for a dedicated law enforcement officer, whose life was given in the pursuit of a more secure society. In this, the fourth edition of The Last Full Measure, the names of twenty nine officers who have died in the line of duty since 2009 have been added to the roll of honor. The total now stands at 361 officers.

The incidents in this book are individual stories tied together by the common thread of loss. Loss not only to family and friends, but also to the communities the officers served. The July 5, 1892 issue of the Arizona Daily Citizen, after the death of Tucson Police Officer William Elliot, gave the following epitaph: Let Tucson, some day in the hour of her prosperity, not forget to fittingly mark the graves of those officers whose station, humble though they may appear, but yet upon whose services rests the peace, good order, and dignity of all well-organized communities.

In 1981, the Fraternal Order of Police was discussing the building of a statewide memorial to fallen law enforcement officers. I was asked to compile a listing of names to be included on the memorial, along with the circumstances of their deaths. I soon learned that very little information was available from law enforcement agencies around Arizona. Fortunately, Lori Davidson of the Arizona Historical Society had compiled such a list. She generously shared her information with me, greatly simplifying my research.

The most difficult task in compiling this book was deciding what constitutes an in the line of duty death. Many incidents are very clear cut, but some fall into a gray area. Most of the latter types of deaths fall into the category of accidents and heart attacks. In making the decisions, I considered whether the individual would have died had he or she not been involved in the events preceding the death.

Over the years since the first edition of this book, the state founded the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board, which now maintains records of all law enforcement deaths in Arizona. Also, the Officer Down Memorial Page website chronicles law enforcement deaths on a national level; it is an invaluable source of information.

These incidents were drawn, when possible, from contemporary news accounts. When other sources were used, attempts to verify the information through contemporary accounts were made. Although many sources were utilized, this may not be an exhaustive list of officers. There were deaths which occurred, but of which little was written. This is especially true during the time of Indian hostilities. What is written in each story is a condensed version. However, in stories that seem incomplete, no further information was found. If any reader has more information, or any names which are not on this list, I would like to be notified in order to make this record as complete as possible.

I would like to acknowledge several people in their contribution to this work. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Fraternal Order of Police, Pima Lodge 20 for their support and backing. This is an organization which has done so much for the betterment of Police Officers and their families. A great debt is owed to the late Lori Davisson of the Arizona Historical Society, for providing me with the initial list of officers and unlimited use of her collection of Arizona Law Enforcement history. I would like to thank Jeanie Jett at the Tucson Daily Citizen for her assistance in searching old newspaper files. Marshall Trimble, the official state historian for his encouragement and support. The members of the Arizona Memorial Board for their dedicated duty to the cause of fallen officers. Steve Varner and the staff of the Officers Down Memorial Page for their effort to maintain a national registry of fallen officers. To my daughters, Meghan and Erin for their help in so many ways. Finally, I would like to thank my best friend and wife, Karen.

In any endeavor of this sort, mistakes and oversights do occur. I would encourage anyone with corrections, additions, or other input to contact me directly so that I can make the appropriate changes. I can be reached at [e-mail].

CORNELIUS SAGE

Yuma County Sheriff’s Office

May 3, 1865

On May 3, 1865, Yuma County Sheriff, Cornelius Sage and two companions, Richard Belland and Charles Cunningham, were traveling to Prescott on county business. When they arrived at Willow Springs, about ten miles below Skull Valley, they were attacked by Yavapai Apaches and killed.

GEORGE W. LEIHY

United States Marshal’s Office

November 18, 1866

The Honorable George Leihy, U.S. Marshal, was the superintendent of Indian Affairs in Arizona. On November 15, 1866, he and his clerk H.C. Everts left Prescott to return to La Paz after having picked up an Apache-Mohave woman who had been taken as a prisoner in a skirmish in Skull Valley. As they were passing through Hell’s Canyon, twelve miles from Prescott, they were attacked by hostile Indians lead by Chief Ocho-Cama. The entire party was massacred. Leihy’s arms and legs were broken, his skull crushed and his heart cut out of his chest. Everts was beheaded and the Indians took the head with them. All of the horses were killed and one was roasted and eaten at the scene. The bodies were buried where they were found.

JAMES T. DANA

Yuma County Sheriff’s Office

September 20, 1871

Not long before the death of Yuma County Sheriff James Dana, an Indian named Big Charley killed a woman who had resisted his attempt to steal her blanket. On September 20, 1871, Sheriff Dana, Arizona City (Yuma) Constable Oscar Townsend, and a man named John McGann went to Big Charley’s camp about seven miles above Arizona City. Sheriff Dana ordered Big Charley to drop his gun and surrender. Big Charley refused to do so and a gun battle erupted, during which Big Charley was killed. A cousin of Big Charley’s shot Dana in the side with an arrow, which imbedded itself in his liver, eventually killing the deputy. Que-Cha-Co was captured, tried, convicted and sentenced to hang. He escaped from the Yuma County jail before the sentence could be carried out. A year later, he was recaptured and sentenced to twenty-five years at hard labor, but again escaped, never to be seen again.

ANDY FRIGATE

United States Marshal’s Office

September 5, 1873

(No details found)

JACK WHITTEN

Unknown Department

September 5, 1873

(No details found)

JOHN H. ADAMS

CORNELIUS FINLEY

United States Marshal’s Office

September 2, 1878

On September 2, 1878, Deputy U.S. Marshal John Adams along with Deputy U.S. Marshal Cornelius Finley began tracking two Mexican bandits who had been spotted in the area of the Santa Rita Mountains, in Southern Arizona. As the two Marshals entered Davidson Canyon, they were ambushed by the bandits and killed. A large posse of men from the Empire Ranch and the Santa Rita Placers started after the murderers. The suspects were captured near the town of Santa Cruz in Mexico and lodged in the Nogales, Sonora Jail. For some unknown reason, the bandits were tried in Mexico, convicted and sentenced to be shot.

JAMES HINES

(Also spelled HAINES)

Safford Constable’s Office

August 26, 1879

This is a case of questions, mostly without answers. Two articles in The Daily Arizona Citizen, one on August 29, 1879 and the other on September 5, 1879 gave only vague facts. On August 29, it was reported that Deputy Constable Hines was sent to Fort Thomas to arrest J. R. Collins on a warrant issued by Johnson. This man was a hard case and Collins, it is supposed, afraid he would be shot, fired first. Collins also holds that Johnson had no right to issue a warrant to arrest him, as there is a justice in this precinct.

Collins, his clerk and Justice Mann were arrested.

On September 5, the Citizen reported that J.R. Collins and J. M. Orosco were taken to Safford for a hearing before Justice Johnson. In this article, they show the Constable’s name as James Haines. After the inquest, the homicide charge was dropped as it was ruled justifiable.

JAMES RICHMOND

GERALD Paddy CREAGH

Apache County Sheriff’s Office

May 7, 1880

Deputy Sheriffs James Richmond and Gerald Creaghe were conducting tax assessments in the area of Clifton and the Gila Valley (Which at the time, belonged to Apache County). As they entered Eagle Creek, they were attacked by members of the Victorio band of Apache Indians and killed

FRED WHITE

Tombstone Marshal’s Office

October 30, 1880

Just after midnight on October 27, 1880, Curly Bill Brocious and a group of Texas cowboys were celebrating in a bar in Tombstone. As they drank and became rowdier, Curly Bill drew his gun and began to shoot holes in the ceiling. Town Marshal Fred White was summoned, and walked into the bar followed by his deputy, Wyatt Earp. White walked up to Curly Bill and demanded the pistol. When Bill refused, White grabbed the barrel of the gun, and in the ensuing struggle, the gun discharged hitting White in the groin. Deputy Earp immediately cold cocked Brocious and dragged him to jail. Before dying on October 30, White gave a statement that the shooting had been accidental, and at his trial, Brocious was found not guilty of murder.

J.A. BRYANT

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office

October 18, 1881

On October 20, 1881, Yavapai County Deputy Sheriff J.A. Bryant, along with a Deputy U.S. Marshall from Albuquerque, New Mexico attempted to arrest Grizzly Miller near the San Francisco Mountains. Miller drew a gun and began firing, hitting and killing Bryant. He then made good his escape. A posse sent to track the killer, failed to locate him.

Deputy Bryant, also a contractor for the Atlantic Pacific Railroad, was survived by a wife and three children.

GEORGE TURNER JR.

United States Marshal’s Office

September 25, 1881

In September 1881, a group of White Mountain Apaches left the reservation when a powerful medicine man was arrested. During this outbreak, eleven soldiers and seven civilians were killed. One of the victims was Deputy U.S. Marshal George Turner Jr. The details of his killing were explained in a letter Turner’s father wrote to Marshal C.P. Drake. After Turner Jr. learned that the men under the command of General Carr had been ambushed and killed, he set out for the Middleton Ranch with Henry Moody to alert the people in the area about the breakout. They arrived at the ranch on September 25, 1881, and were at the ranch for a couple of hours when they were approached by seven Apaches who wanted food. After giving them food, and at the signal from one of the Apaches, Turner and Moody were set upon by the Apaches and were shot to death. Of the Indians present, four were identified as Eskinkoyoullay, Nebejazay, son of Esketeay, and Jacob. Their punishment is unknown.

JOHN A. GILLESPIE

Cochise County Sheriff’s Office

March 29, 1882

On March 25, 1882, two masked men entered the offices of the Tombstone Mill and Mining Company in Millville. They shot and killed Mr. M.R. Peel, the company’s chief engineer and then rode away. No reason was ever found for the shooting. Several days later, the two men were identified as Zwing Hunt and Billy Grounds, AKA: The Kid. It was reported to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office that the two men were hiding at the Chandler Milk Ranch, outside Tombstone. Chief Deputy Harley instructed Deputy Billy Breakenridge to form a posse and arrest the two outlaws. Breakenridge swore in Jack Young, E.H. Allen, and John Gillespie, and the four men set out before daylight on March 29th to the Chandler ranch. Arriving just before full light, Breakenridge knocked on the door of the main house, which was answered by one of the employees, who stated that the deputies should check a second house about 100 yards away. Suspecting something wrong, Breakenridge sent Allen and Young to check out the second building, but kept Gillespie with him to watch the main house. Just as Young and Allen started walking away, Zwing Hunt stepped onto the porch of the main house and opened fire. His first shot hit Gillespie in the head, killing him instantly, and his second shot grazed Young. Young returned fire, hitting Hunt in the chest, knocking him out of the fight. Billy Grounds then stepped onto the porch and fired at Breakenridge, who returned fire with his shotgun, hitting Grounds full in the face. Sometime during the fight, Allen was hit in the leg. Billy Grounds lived for a day, but died from his wounds. Deputies Young and Allen survived their wounds. Zwing Hunt was taken to the hospital and expected to succumb to his wounds. However, several days later, his brother arrived from Texas and in the middle of the night, spirited Zwing out of town. It looked like they made a clean getaway, but were ambushed by Indians, and Zwing Hunt was killed.

ALBERT D. STERLING

SAGOTAL

San Carlos Tribal Police Department

April 19, 1882

On April 19, 1882, forty Apache warriors, under the leadership of Loco, left the San Carlos reservation intent on going to old Mexico. When word reached San Carlos, Chief of Indian Police, Albert Sterling, and Indian Policeman Sagotal rode towards the Indians’ camp. As they reached a point where the San Carlos River meets the Gila River, they were ambushed by the Apaches. Sterling was shot and thrown from his horse, and Sagotal was wounded. As Sagotal rode back to San Carlos for assistance, the Apaches finished off Sterling by severing his head. When the Apache police arrived, they again came under fire and Sagotal was fatally wounded. The renegades then retreated up the Gila River, killing three men along the way. The posse of Apache policemen, now under command of Charles Mann, chased the renegades, but were unable to overtake them before they reached the sanctuary of Mexico.

ANDREW W. HOLBROOK

Pima County Sheriff’s Office

May 4, 1882

In 1882 the Pima County Jail was located in the basement of the newly erected courthouse. One commissioned head jailer and three noncommissioned assistants were employed by Sheriff Robert Paul. This particular Sunday morning, the head jailer, A.W. Holbrook, was on duty when a complaint was received from several prisoners that the breakfast dishes were dirty. As he stepped into the jail yard to speak to the inmate dish washer, Holbrook heard the door close behind him, and he turned back toward the jail corridor to investigate. As he walked into his office he was confronted by two prisoners, Joseph Casey and Henry Sinclair, both armed with pistols. Holbrook grabbed Casey’s hand and the gun discharged into the door. As Holbrook attempted to return to the jail yard, Casey shot him once in the back. The wounded jailer managed to retreat to the yard and hold the door closed while yelling for help, keeping the prisoners from escaping until help arrived. Holbrook died later in the day from the gunshot wound.

Joseph Casey was hanged in the jail yard on April 15, 1884. Henry Sinclair received a life sentence at the Yuma Territorial Prison.

Andrew Holbrook was unmarried and survived only by a sister living in Massachusetts.

JOHN SNODGRASS

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

May 26, 1882

On May 25, 1882, Coconino County Deputy Sheriff John Snodgrass arrested a bar-keeper by the name of Hazel, and then took his prisoner in front of the local Justice of the Peace for arraignment. While at the court, he attempted to disarm Hazel. Hazel pulled a