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Incident
Sheriff Carmichael was shot and killed during a riot while attempting to escort three prisoners from the courthouse back to jail in Gallup. At the time Gallup was a mining town and home to 800 to 1000 unemployed miners. Two strikes at the towns five coal mines in 1933 and 1934 resulted in tension between union and non-union miners reached a boiling point when many were evicted from their homes. Three men were being tried at the court house for refusing to vacate their homes after being served with eviction papers. Sheriff Carmichael attempted to take them back to jail through the back to avoid a confrontation with more than 300 angry protesters, supporting the three, saw them in the back of the courthouse, near an alley in the rear of Independent Printing Co., and immediately rushed them. The rioters opened fire, killing Sheriff Carmichael and wounding two of his deputies. Deputies fired back, killing two rioters and wounding four more. U.S. Army troops and the New Mexico National Guard were deployed to restore peace. Over the course of several days, more than 150 people were arrested. Three men were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 45 years hard labor. One had his conviction overturned by the Supreme Court in 1937 and set free. In 1939 the other two were pardoned by Governor John E. Miles. Sheriff Carmichael had been with the agency for five and a half years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Carmichael gave the McKinley County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gallup community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Carmichael.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mack is the only officer of McKinley County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Mack is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Mack is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Mack 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 1935, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mack was 38. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Mack had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mack was 38. 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. Mack had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mack was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mack had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at McKinley County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
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