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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell was shot and killed during a shootout along Reservation Creek near the Black River. He was riding with a posse that was tracking the Bill Smith Gang. Ranger Tafolla and Deputy Sheriff Bill Maxwell, of the Apache County Sheriff's Office, were approaching the gang when one of the gang members asked how they should surrender. As the man was approaching them he was dragging his rifle behind him but brought it up and shot Deputy Maxwell in the head, killing him instantly. Ranger Tafolla was shot twice in the torso and died that night. The suspect fled to Argentina and was never apprehended. As Ranger Tafolla was dying, he pulled out a silver dollar and asked that it be given to his wife as it, and his unpaid wages, would be all that she would get. A two-year pension was later approved for her when the story was told. Officer Maxwell was survived by his mother and four siblings. He is buried in Maxwell Cemetery, Nutriosio, Apache County, Arizona.
Survivors
Officer Maxwell was survived by his mother and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Maxwell served with the Apache County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the St. Johns community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Maxwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Apache County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 1 officer at Apache County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1880, with 2.
In 1901, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 38. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Apache County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 34; the middle age was 32.
William was 38. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
William was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Apache County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
October holds 5.4% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Tuesdays: 15.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Apache County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Apache County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Apache County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
