Prev
Incident
Constable William Hardmount was shot and killed in a Monterey dance hall known as the California Exchange.
He was attempting to break up a fight between a group of several men from America, Mexico, and Ireland.
The suspects were fighting over rum and a member of the gang shot and killed Constable Hardmount when he attempted to stop the fight. Despite being wounded, he was able to return fire and wounded one of the men.
The gang escaped, but the wounded member was arrested and hung the following day in the center of town.
Tiburcio Vasquez, a 19-year-old member of the gang soon became the gang's leader and went on to become one of California's most notorious outlaws robbing and killing with the gang he led for the next 20 years. On November 6th, 1873, his gang killed Constable William Stewart Mettler in Kern County. The man was apprehended in Los Angeles on May 14th, 1874, and hanged on March 19th, 1875.
The place where he was captured is modern-day West Hollywood near the sets where many western movies were filmed, including movies about him. He was thought to be the source of the bandit-hero "Zorro."
Tiburcio Vasquez was the main suspect in the murder of both constables and many others. After his capture, he stated that he never killed either officer or anyone else. He said only members of his gang, who were killed or disappeared over the years, were responsible for all the murders.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnjtm9871w3g3s2132fv- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
172 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Hardmount served with the Monterey County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Monterey community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Monterey County Constable's Office remembered here.
William is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1854, 2 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1854, 9 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 173rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1854, 12 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 175th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Monterey County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Monterey County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.