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Posseman William Beck | United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government

Posseman

William Beck

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government

End of Watch: Tuesday, April 16, 1872

Biographical Info

Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 15, 1872
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Charges dropped

Posseman William Beck and seven other deputy marshals were shot and killed as he a group of ten marshals attempted to arrest a man for murdering a married couple.

The suspect was being tried in an Indian court since the murdered woman was Indian. As the deputies approached the courthouse, which was being held in a schoolhouse, several Indians exited and opened fire on them, killing eight of the ten marshals. The incident was named the Going Snake Massacre.

Deputy Marshal Owens succumbed to his injuries several hours after the incident.

Several Indians were arrested and charged with murder. The U.S. Government dropped all the charges due to a lack of evidence and witnesses refusing to testify.