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Incident
Deputy Constable William Blake was shot and killed while and he and another deputy attempted to arrest two Indians who had shot and killed a rancher near Fall River Mills. The deputies had positioned themselves on a road they knew the suspects would be traveling. When the suspects passed, they ordered them out of the wagon but were fired upon. The deputies returned fire, striking one of the men before the suspects fled. Deputy Blake was shot in the hip and taken to a local doctor, who amputated his leg in an attempt to save his life. He succumbed to his wounds two days after being shot. The suspects, father and son, were captured in Lovelock, Nevada, seven weeks later. The son was found to be deaf and dumb. The father was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. At his trial, he claimed he shot the rancher and Deputy Blake in self-defense and was acquitted. On August 16, 1924, he was killed in an automobile accident near Red Bluff. Deputy Blake had been deputized that day in order to make the arrest. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and sister. He is buried in Susanville Cemetery, Susanville, Lassen County, California.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Constable Blake served with the Shasta County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Redding community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Blake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shasta County Constable's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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, 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 1911, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 47. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. 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 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. 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 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Shasta County Constable's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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 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
Shasta County Constable's Office has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Shasta County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.