Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
End of Watch: Monday, June 9, 1969
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 138
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 9, 1969
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Paul Marston was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a prison escapee in Chino Valley.
The man had accosted a couple camping in the area and stole their truck. The victims were able to call the sheriff's office and alert them. A deputy located the vehicle on Route 89 and began following it until additional units from the Arizona Game and Fish Department were able to back him up. The escapee realized he was being followed and turned onto Perkinsville Road before abandoning the truck and fleeing into a barn.
Officer Marston began to chase after him but the man turned and opened fire, fatally wounding him. The suspect was shot and killed by Officer Marston's partner.
Officer Marston had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for five years. He was survived by his wife and two children.