Incident
Deputy Constable William Blake was shot and killed while and he and another deputy attempted to arrest two Indians who had shot and killed a rancher near Fall River Mills. The deputies had positioned themselves on a road they knew the suspects would be traveling. When the suspects passed, they ordered them out of the wagon but were fired upon. The deputies returned fire, striking one of the men before the suspects fled. Deputy Blake was shot in the hip and taken to a local doctor, who amputated his leg in an attempt to save his life. He succumbed to his wounds two days after being shot. The suspects, father and son, were captured in Lovelock, Nevada, seven weeks later. The son was found to be deaf and dumb. The father was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. At his trial, he claimed he shot the rancher and Deputy Blake in self-defense and was acquitted. On August 16, 1924, he was killed in an automobile accident near Red Bluff. Deputy Blake had been deputized that day in order to make the arrest. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and sister. He is buried in Susanville Cemetery, Susanville, Lassen County, California.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-122AEAD8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Constable Blake served with the Shasta County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Redding community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Blake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Constable William Blake is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Shasta County Constable's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Blake's cause is highlighted.
How William Blake Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Blake is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Blake was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Shasta County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.