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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Cunningham succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier near Jarales, New Mexico, while attempting to arrest a man who had just shot the county sheriff and the Belen city marshal.
The sheriff and marshal had gone to arrest the man after the man assaulted his grandmother. The man initially cooperated with the officers and requested to retrieve a pair of gloves from his room. As he emerged from the room, he shot the city marshal in the leg. He then shot the sheriff in the back as he retreated to cover.
Both officers were rescued and taken to Belen for treatment. Deputy Cunningham and several other deputies responded to the house and went inside after receiving no response from the subject. As they walked across the floor, the man fired through a stovepipe hole in the second floor, striking Deputy Cunningham. He then barricaded himself inside as a posse surrounded the house. The posse eventually set fire to the house, forcing the man out. He was shot and killed as he fired at officers while emerging from the home.
Deputy Cunningham was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Albuquerque where he died on March 3rd, 1930.
He was survived by his wife.
Deputy Sheriff Cunningham was buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cunningham served with the Valencia County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Los Lunas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cunningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Valencia County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 1930, 1 officer at Valencia County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 2.
In 1930, 3 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 45. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Valencia County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 39; the middle age was 35.
Charles was 45. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37.
Charles was 45. 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.
Charles was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Valencia County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 20%.
March holds 6.5% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Mondays: 11.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Valencia County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.2% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Valencia County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Valencia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
