Luna County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Friday, February 25, 1916
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident:
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Sheriff Dwight Stephens was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a gang of escaped prisoners. On Sunday, February 20, 1916, three prisoners in the Luna County jail managed to overcome the jailer and organize an escape. Two other prisoners joined their gang, and they fled from Luna.
Sheriff Stephens assembled a six-man posse in pursuit of the five escapees. The posse included two Deputy Sheriffs and the Deming town Marshal. As the posse came upon the escapees, a gunfight ensued. Sheriff Stephens was killed instantly in the first exchange of shots. One suspect was killed and another wounded and apprehended before the remaining three made their escape.
One suspect was apprehended the following day, another three days later, and the final suspect was apprehended on August 26 in Reno, Nevada. All four living suspects were tried for the murder of Sheriff Stephens. Two were convicted and sentenced to death, and one was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The fourth suspect was acquitted but received a 20-year sentence for the murder that he was originally being held for.
Sheriff Stephens was survived by his wife and four children.