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Incident
Sheriff Dwight Stephens was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a gang of escaped prisoners. On Sunday, February 20, 1916, three prisoners in the Luna County jail managed to overcome the jailer and organize an escape. Two other prisoners joined their gang, and they fled from Luna. Sheriff Stephens assembled a six-man posse in pursuit of the five escapees. The posse included two Deputy Sheriffs and the Deming town Marshal. As the posse came upon the escapees, a gunfight ensued. Sheriff Stephens was killed instantly in the first exchange of shots. One suspect was killed and another wounded and apprehended before the remaining three made their escape. One suspect was apprehended the following day, another three days later, and the final suspect was apprehended on August 26 in Reno, Nevada. All four living suspects were tried for the murder of Sheriff Stephens. Two were convicted and sentenced to death, and one was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The fourth suspect was acquitted but received a 20-year sentence for the murder that he was originally being held for.
Survivors
Sheriff Stephens was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Stephens gave the Luna County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Deming community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Luna County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Dwight is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Dwight is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dwight is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dwight was 43. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Dwight had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dwight was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dwight had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dwight was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dwight had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.6% of these deaths in NM, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Luna County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Luna County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Dwight among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Luna County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.