Edward J. Farr
Agency patch
Sheriff

Edward J. Farr

Felonious
End of Watch July 16, 1899
Age 31
The Vigil Panel 15 ›
Gender Male

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

Location Walsenburg, CO
Platform Identity hcso.huerfano.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 16, 1899
Age 31
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender One executed

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.

Huerfano County Sheriff's Office
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
CO — Statewide
235
of 360 officers
65.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward J. Farr's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Edward J. Farr Compares

Age at End of Watch
31
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

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.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward J. Farr was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Huerfano County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.