Lea County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 24, 1932
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 24, 1932
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Sheriff J.M. Clifton was shot and killed near Crossroads after stopping a vehicle suspected of being used in a robbery in Lovington.
During the stop, one of the men produced a handgun. Deputy Clifton was able to disarm the man, but while the two struggled, a second man exited the car and shot him three times. Despite his wounds, he was able to return fire and kill both men.
Deputy Clifton drove himself to a nearby school and was then taken to a doctor's office, but died later that night.
Deputy Clifton was survived by his wife.