Santa Rosa Police Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Sunday, February 13, 1949
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: February 13, 1949
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 99 years
Night Marshal Jose Gonzales was stabbed to death by a drunk man whom he and a deputy marshal had attempted to take home.
The man had been creating a disturbance in a bar across the street from the courthouse. Rather than arrest him, the marshals took him home. However, the man obtained a large knife and returned to the bar. As the marshals attempted to take him home again he pulled out the knife and stabbed Marshal Gonzales in the neck, severing his jugular. The subject fled but was arrested by the county sheriff at the railroad depot a short time later.
The man was sentenced to 99 years in prison but was released after serving only 10 years because he developed cancer. He died shortly after being released.
Marshal Gonzales had served in law enforcement for nine years, including serving four years as the sheriff of Guadalupe CountyHe was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.