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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Paddy Creaghe and Deputy Sheriff James Richmond were shot and killed near Ash Creek (in modern-day Graham County) when they were attacked by Indians led by a well-known warrior named Victorio. Deputy Creaghe and Deputy Richmond were at camp while conducting land assessments when they were attacked and killed. The exact cause of death is unknown, but it is believed they were either shot or killed with arrows. Their bodies were found the following day by members of the U.S. Army who had gone to the area after hearing reports that Victorio's forces had attacked a farm. The Army unit engaged in a battle with the Indians in which one soldier and scout were killed along with an undetermined number of Victorio's warriors. Victorio and his warriors had been attacking settlements in the area and murdering residents for more than one year. They were rebelling against the United States government for forcing them to leave their homeland. A few months later they entered Mexico and soon found themselves surrounded by the Mexican Army. The army attacked killing all of them. It is believed that Deputy Creaghe and Deputy Richmond were buried at the spot their bodies were located.
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Tributes
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Creaghe served with the Apache County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the St. Johns community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Apache County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Gerald is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1880, 2 officers at Apache County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1880, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1880, 38 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1880, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gerald was 24. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Apache County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 34; the middle age was 32.
Gerald was 24. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Gerald was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Gerald was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 40% of these deaths at Apache County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
May holds 13.2% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Apache County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Apache County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Gerald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Apache County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
