Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Dwight Stephens was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a gang of escaped prisoners. On Sunday, February 20, 1916, three prisoners in the Luna County jail managed to overcome the jailer and organize an escape. Two other prisoners joined their gang, and they fled from Luna. Sheriff Stephens assembled a six-man posse in pursuit of the five escapees. The posse included two Deputy Sheriffs and the Deming town Marshal. As the posse came upon the escapees, a gunfight ensued. Sheriff Stephens was killed instantly in the first exchange of shots. One suspect was killed and another wounded and apprehended before the remaining three made their escape. One suspect was apprehended the following day, another three days later, and the final suspect was apprehended on August 26 in Reno, Nevada. All four living suspects were tried for the murder of Sheriff Stephens. Two were convicted and sentenced to death, and one was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The fourth suspect was acquitted but received a 20-year sentence for the murder that he was originally being held for.
Survivors
Sheriff Stephens was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-53465A7C- 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.
Sheriff Stephens gave the Luna County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Deming community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Dwight B. Stephens 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Luna County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. Dwight B. Stephens's cause is highlighted.
How Dwight B. Stephens Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dwight B. Stephens is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dwight B. Stephens was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Luna County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
