Roll of Honor
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.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-150D93A4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Gerald. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
Deputy Sheriff Gerald F. Creaghe 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Apache County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gerald F. Creaghe's cause is highlighted.
How Gerald F. Creaghe Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerald F. Creaghe is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gerald F. Creaghe was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Apache County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
