Deputy Sheriff Clifford Phillip Payne

Clifford Phillip Payne

Deputy Payne and an undercover narcotics agent were shot by the stepfather of a 17-year-old male they were attempting to arrest on a marijuana charge at his home about 1:30 a.m.

The stepfather fired five rounds from a snub-nosed .38-caliber pistol, fatally wounding Deputy Payne and striking the narcotics agent in the chin and left hand. The stepfather was wounded in the side by the narcotics agent who fired from the doorway of the residence as he was seeking cover. The 17-year-old fled out the back door when the shooting began. He surrendered to authorities about 9:30 a.m. after a massive eight-hour search of the Burns Flat industrial district.

The stepfather was arrested and charged with murdering Deputy Payne. He testified that he thought Deputy Payne was an armed intruder in his home that night and cited the fact that the deputy had a beard and long hair. The prosecution countered that Deputy Payne was dressed in uniform. The suspect was acquitted by a jury. Deputy Payne was survived by his wife and three sons.