Incident
Sheriff Edward Farr was shot and killed in Turkey Creek Canyon, New Mexico, while riding with a posse in an attempt to arrest members of a gang that had been robbing banks, trains, and postal stops in New Mexico and Arizona for several years. When the posse caught up to the gang there was a shootout and Sheriff Farr was shot three times and killed. One member of the gang was shot and killed and a second was wounded and taken into custody. He was sentenced to life in prison for his role but was released in 1906. Posseman Henry M. Love of the Colfax County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico, was also killed in the incident. During the shootout a bullet struck a knife that was in his pocket, causing the knife to cut him. He had used the knife to treat sick cattle with a form of anthrax and was infected with the disease. He succumbed to the disease four days later. Two other members of the gang had been involved with the murder of Deputy Kent Kearney, of the Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Sheriff's Department, on July 12, 1898. The leader of the gang, notorious outlaw Thomas E. "Black Jack" Ketchum, was apprehended and executed on April 26, 1901. Sheriff Farr is buried in Masonic Cemetery, Huerfano County, Colorado.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-805C83C9- 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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Farr served with the Huerfano County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Walsenburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Edward J. Farr 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Huerfano County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward J. Farr's cause is highlighted.
How Edward J. Farr Compares
Offender Outcome
One executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward J. Farr is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward J. Farr was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Huerfano County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
