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Incident
Constable John Powers and Deputized Civilian Oliver McCoy were shot and killed when they went to Coyote Holes in the Mojave Desert to arrest some Indians who were accused of setting haystacks on fire. A gun battle ensued in which both were killed, and two Indians were killed. A third man with the officers was able to escape and summon help. Another Indian, known to be a desperate and evil character, was later captured at Coyote Hole. With much evidence and by his own admission, he was found to be the one who killed the two officers. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Powers served with the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kern County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1891, 2 officers at Kern County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1891, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1891, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 26. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Kern County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 41; the middle age was 35.
John was 26. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 26. 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.
John was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 33.3% of these deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 33.3%.
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 32.1% of all 28 deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 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
Kern County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, John among them.
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William Stewart Mettler Nov 6, 1873
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Oliver McCoy Jul 3, 1891
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John L. Powers
Jul 3, 1891
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William E. Tibbet
Apr 19, 1903
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Howard Hamilton Knott
Oct 6, 1945
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Clayton Hall Yearick
Nov 15, 1949
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Roland Lucien Barbeau
Feb 26, 1953
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Wayne Herman Trudell
Jun 4, 1962
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Robert Paul Grabner
Jul 11, 1962
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Samuel Harold Moore
Jul 11, 1962
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Frederic C. Scheberies
Jan 11, 1964
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Richard O. Slates Dec 21, 1966
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Donald Durr Hodges
Apr 14, 1969
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Terry Lee Greer
Aug 7, 1973
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Charles James Banning
Oct 23, 1974
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Michael Ronald Wilson
Oct 11, 1981
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Ray Leonard Mallory
Aug 16, 1983
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Lansing Lloyd Warren
Aug 16, 1983
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Michael Jay Bentley
Oct 19, 1983
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Ray Delton Bockman
Aug 16, 1986
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Marvin Ray Kline
Aug 16, 1986
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Douglas Robert Moonen
Aug 16, 1986
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Richard Robert McHale
Mar 3, 1989
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James Lee Williams
Oct 19, 1991
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Daniel Lee Archuleta
Sep 12, 2004
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William Joseph Hudnall, Jr.
Nov 14, 2006
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James Edward Throne
May 23, 2008
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Phillip Jesse Campas
Jul 25, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
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