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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Orson McRae was shot and killed while rounding up striking miners. He had been sworn in as a deputy the day before and on the morning of the deportation, he joined a posse of five deputies who were assigned to pick up striking miners from rooming houses. Deputy McRae was unarmed when he forced his way into a boarding house room. After shooting the deputy, the other posse members returned fire and killed the subject.
Survivors
Deputy McRae was survived by his wife and four 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.
Deputy Sheriff McRae served with the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bisbee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McRae.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cochise County Sheriff's Department has lost 15 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Orson is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Orson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Orson 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 1917, 1 officer at Cochise County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1885, with 2.
In 1917, 1 officer in AZ was killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Orson was 33. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Cochise County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47.3; the middle age was 41. Orson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 0.8 years.
Orson was 33. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Orson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Orson was 33. 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. Orson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Orson was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Orson had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Cochise County Sheriff's Department; April holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 28.6%.
July holds 11.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 93.3% of all 15 deaths at Cochise County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 57.1% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cochise County Sheriff's Department has 15 officers remembered here, Orson among them.
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Kiv Phillips
Jul 7, 1882
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D. Tom Smith Dec 8, 1883
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William A. Daniels
Jun 9, 1885
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Casper Albert Nov 26, 1885
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Cesario Lucero Aug 12, 1888
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Jake Bowman Apr 25, 1893
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Chet L. Ainsworth Apr 6, 1899
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Ted Moore Apr 6, 1899
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Arthur A. Wight Feb 10, 1904
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John Rooney
Apr 6, 1913
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Edward J. Miller Aug 12, 1913
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Orson McRae
Jul 12, 1917
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Fred Kenney Jun 17, 1932
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Leroy Dale Brown
Dec 6, 1969
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Jeffrey Carl Brown
Sep 26, 1983
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Cochise County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
