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Incident
Ranger Captain John R. Hughes assigned Private Scott Russell to accompany El Paso County Deputy Sheriff W. H. Garlick to serve a warrant for arrest on Manuel Guaderrama for cattle rustling. The Guaderrama clan was well known to law enforcement. The two lawmen went to a business (store and saloon) owned by Manuel and his brother, Juan, in an unincorporated industrial area called Smeltertown. To avoid arousing suspicion, the officers entered under the pretext of buying tobacco.
Juan and his mother, Marina, were the only people in the store. Unexpectedly, Private Russell was smashed in the head with an ax handle by Marina. Juan pulled a Lugar and killed both Captain Russell and Garlick. He pulled down the curtain and hacked at the fallen officer's heads with a hatchet. Juan discovered he had accidentally shot and mortally wounded his mother. Juan's wife arrived and removed both officer's gun's and Russell's gun belt. They called the police and reported the officers were drunk and had struck his mother.
Lawmen believed the Guaderrama clan planned the murders in revenge for the rustling investigation. Thirteen members of the clan were arrested. Seven were no-billed by the grand jury and six, including Juan, were indicted for murder. The clan retained top legal talent. Five were tried on January 13th, 1914, but the jury deadlocked. Rangers and deputies raised funds to aid the district attorney in the second trial. Unfortunately, by the June 1915 trial, only Juan Guaderrama was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to five years in prison.
Deputy Garlick had served with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He was survived by his wife and four children. He was buried in the Valentine Cemetery in Jeff Davis County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Garlick gave the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Garlick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 1 officer at El Paso County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1913, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 45. Of the 6 killed feloniously at El Paso County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51.8; the middle age was 40. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 45. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 45. 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. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 16.7%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; luger, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; luger, in 0.2% 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 handgun; luger, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; luger, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from El Paso County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
