Chaves County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Sunday, August 2, 1931
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 2, 1931
Weapon Used: Handgun; .380 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 5 years
Chief Deputy Rufus Dunnahoo was shot and killed while investigating the theft of car parts.
Chief Deputy Dunnahoo, accompanied by the sheriff and a deputy, were searching a house near Dexter when a male produced a .380 caliber handgun.
As the chief and the sheriff struggled to disarm the male, the male fired a shot, striking Chief Deputy Dunnahoo in the neck.
The suspect was apprehended after a short foot chase. He was initially convicted of murdering Chief Deputy Dunnahoo and sentenced from 40 to 90 years in prison. He won a second trial on appeal and was sentenced to only 5 years for manslaughter.
Chief Deputy Dunnahoo had served with the Chaves County Sheriff's Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.