Chief Deputy W. D. "Kechi" Johnson

W. D. "Kechi" Johnson

Chief Deputy Kechi Johnson was shot and killed when he was ambushed along Whitewater Creek in the Upper Gila section of Grant County.

He had arrested a cattle thief while he and another deputy were trailing a group of cattle thieves who had been operating in the area. He separated from the other deputy in order to take the prisoner to the jail at Silver City. While en route he was ambushed by one of the man's companions.

After Chief Deputy Johnson was murdered the prisoner went to a nearby ranch, told the rancher, and then fled.

Chief Deputy Johnson was survived by his wife and four children.