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Incident
Undersheriff Martin Kempton, Sheriff Robert McBride, and Deputy Sheriff Kane Wooton were shot and killed as they approached a cabin where they intended to arrest two brothers and another man for draft evasion. During the exchange of gunfire, one suspect was also killed at the scene. A month later three suspects were captured by a U.S. Cavalry Patrol near Hachita, New Mexico. Three of the suspects, two of them brothers, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Two were paroled in 1960 and pardoned in 1969; the third suspect died in prison on January 24, 1957, at the age of 86. At that time he was Arizona's oldest prisoner. A fourth suspect was killed at the scene.
Survivors
Undersheriff Kempton was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff Kempton served with the Graham County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Safford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Kempton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Graham County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Martin is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Martin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Martin 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 1918, 3 officers at Graham County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 6 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Martin was 39. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Graham County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 39.8; the middle age was 38.5.
Martin was 39. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Martin was 39. 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.
Martin was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 60% of these deaths at Graham County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 60%.
February holds 8.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Saturdays: 14.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Graham County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Graham County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Martin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Graham County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
