Taney County Sheriff's Office, Missouri
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 30, 1879
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 30, 1879
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy William Bates and Deputy James Coggburn were shot and killed while leading a posse that was pursuing several horse thieves along Bee Creek, near the Missouri - Arkansas state border.
Both deputies were killed during a shootout that ensued after the posse cornered the subjects in a cabin. The owner of the cabin and a suspect were shot and killed. The others escaped.
Deputy Bates was survived by his wife and three children.