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Incident
Undersheriff Sholes and Deputy Sheriff Dan Haryford where shot and killed after they were attacked by two youth offenders they were transporting to stand trial. While in route the suspects attacked the officers, took their guns and killed them. Both suspects were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, but they were both eventually paroled.
Survivors
Undersheriff Sholes was survived by his wife, daughter and four grandchildren.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff Sholes served with the Shasta County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Redding community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Sholes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shasta County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl 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 1950, 2 officers at Shasta County Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1950, 7 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 54. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Shasta County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 54; the middle age was 54.
Earl was 54. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Earl was 54. 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.
Earl was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 60% of these deaths at Shasta County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 60%.
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Shasta County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Shasta County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Shasta County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
