Deputy Sheriff William Thomas Maxwell

William Thomas Maxwell

Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell was shot and killed during a shootout in the White Mountains. He was riding with a posse that was tracking the Bill Smith Gang. Deputy Maxwell and Ranger Carlos Tafolla, of the Arizona Rangers, were approaching the gang when one of the gang asked how should they surrender. As the suspect was approaching them he was dragging his rifle behind him and brought it up and shot Deputy Maxwell in the head, killing him instantly.

Ranger Tafolla was shot twice in the torso and died that night about midnight. The suspect fled to Argentina and was never apprehended.

Officer Maxwell was survived by his mother and four siblings. He is buried in Maxwell Cemetery, Nutriosio, Apache County, Arizona.