San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department, Tribal Police
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 19, 1882
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: April 19, 1882
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Chief of Police Albert Sterling and Sergeant Sagotal were killed by a group of Indians, including Geronimo, who were coming to raid the town of San Carlos, Arizona.
Chief Sterling and Sergeant Sagotal rode out to intercept them at their camp near the confluence of the San Carlos River and Gila River. The group shot both officers, killing Chief Sterling and wounding Sergeant Sagotal. Despite his wounds, Sergeant Sagotal rode back to town, organized a posse, and returned to the area. Upon their return, Sergeant Sagotal was fatally wounded. Chief Sterling was killed first and the guide later.
The group of Indians, numbering over 100, murdered over 50 people as they made their way to Mexico. They were attacked by both United States and Mexican troopers in which over 90 warriors were killed and over 30 women and children were captured.