San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department, Tribal Police
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 12, 1960
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 1 month
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 12, 1960
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Convicted
Chief of Police Dennis Titla was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three brothers for being drunk in public on a dirt road one mile west of San Carlos.
He and another officer had handcuffed one of the men when the other two attacked them. During the struggle on the men gain control of Chief Titla's service weapon and shot him three times.
The other officer was able to subdue the other two brothers and transported all three to the jail. They were convicted of Chief Titla's murder.
Chief Titla had only served as the chief of police for one month. He was survived by his wife, three sons, parents, brother, and sister.