Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Haryford and Undersheriff Earl Sholes where shot and killed after they were attacked by two youth offenders, 18 and 19, they were transporting to the California Youth Authority Camp at Whitmore. Five weeks earlier both had escaped from the camp, stole a car, and drove to Seattle, where they were found asleep in the car and apprehended. During the trip back on Highway 99 near Gibson they suddenly lunged forward from the back seat, struck the officers with their handcuffs, took their guns, and shot and killed them both. The next morning their bodies were found in high brush near the road. Two hours later the two were stopped and apprehended by state troopers as they drove the officer's car into Truckee. On December 6, 1950, both youths were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. In October of 1951 the California Supreme Court ordered new trials for both. On February 21, 1952, both were again convicted of first degree murder but sentenced to life. They were both released in 1977.
Survivors
Deputy Haryford was survived by his wife, daughter and six grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-3BF5164E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Heryford served with the Shasta County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Redding community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Heryford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Dan Heryford is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,775 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Shasta County Sheriff's Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dan Heryford's cause is highlighted.
How Dan Heryford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dan Heryford is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dan Heryford was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Shasta County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
