Commissioner John McCarty, Arizona Department of Game and Fish, Arizona

Commissioner John McCarty

Arizona Department of Game and Fish, Arizona

End of Watch Thursday, June 6, 1901

John McCarty

Commissioner John McCarty was accidentally killed when his shotgun suffered a malfunction, causing the shotgun shell to explode in the barrel.

He was on a hunting trip in the area of Miller's Canyon in what is now the Coconino National Forest. He was collecting specimens for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, when the accident occurred. The explosion caused him to suffer a fatal injury to his face. His body wasn't located until August 19th, 1901.

Commissioner McCarty had served as Arizona's Game Commissioner for two years and ten months. He also held a commission as a Deputy United States Marshal.

The area in which he was killed was later renamed McCarty Ridge.

Bio

Age 56
Tour 2 years, 10 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire (Accidental)

accidental discharge

Most Recent Reflection

View all 5 Reflections

Commissioner McCarty,
Sir, on today, the 116th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Arizona.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 6, 2017