United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch Wednesday, April 24, 1974
Add to My HeroesLouis David Dixon
Patrol Officer Louis Dixon and Patrol Officer Charles Bokinskie were shot and killed while attempting to stop a truck loaded with marijuana six miles south of Parker Lake Canyon, Arizona.
During the ensuing pursuit, the suspect opened fire on the officers. Both officers returned fire, wounding the suspect.
The suspect vehicle suddenly stopped causing Officer Dixon to apply the brakes. The patrol vehicle slid next to the suspect's vehicle and came to a stop. The suspect opened fire on the officers, striking Officer Bokinskie in the patrol car, causing him to drop his shotgun out of the window.
The suspect picked up the shotgun and continued to exchange shots with Officer Dixon, fatally wounding him. The suspect was also shot several times and died a short time later after crashing his vehicle into a ravine while attempting to flee the scene.
Officer Dixon had served with the United States Customs Service for two years and had previously served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. He was survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Arizona
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 25 ReflectionsThe other day, Easter weekend,I drove by the site where the plaque was placed to honor the 2 fallen officers. I dod not know a plaque commemorating them had been there for a short while now.
I grew up at the Sunnyside Ranch less than a mile from the plaque site at a CBP tower antenna.
I was born in Sierra Vista a few months after these men had been gunned down in 1974. We moved to the Sunnyside Ranch in1977.
By the time I was in elementary school, I had heard on a few occasions, from my mom & dad, the stories about these agents who had become victims of a gun fight.
My mom could point to the exact area where this had happened when we drove through here. She had heard most of these stories, most likely from Alex Gonzales of West Gate, Az who had been a Forest Service Ranger out of Canelo, Az.
From what I understand, Sunnyside Ranch was owned by a Mr. George Searle & family at the time of the gun battle. A daughter of the Searle's was driving to high school in Patagonia one morning when she came across the scene.
From what I have heard, it was one of the elder Searle's daughter that reported what she had seen and I imagine she had one or more siblings in the vehicle with her.
My father, Leo Gonzalez & a few uncles, had worked for Mr. Searle several years prior at Sunnyside.
I believe Mr. Searle sold the ranch not too long after this gun fight to a Rose family. The Rose family later sold it and Sunnyside Ranch became an extension of the Lone Mountain Ranch & we moved in then. We left the ranch in '92 and to me this area will always be home.
In the past I have tried to look up this gun battle but never had any luck.
I, today, find that there is more than just a passed down story. Although the stories today label it as Campini Mesa, the actual location of the gun fight and the nearby plaque is on the Sunnyside Mesa and not the Campini Mesa, which lies to the east and southeast of the Sunnyside Mesa, extending into Mexico.
I now know there are friends, family, fellow agents that exist today & I send my sincerest condolences to you all.
I never had names or faces of the 2 agents killed, that is until now. Bud Dixon and Bo Bokinskie may you rest in peace.
Freddy Gonzalez
April 24, 2022
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