Deputy Game Warden Alan G. Curry, aged 29, tragically lost his life on April 30, 1930, in San Francisco Bay near Burlingame, California. Warden Curry was performing his duties as a game warden when he encountered a known persistent violator of fish and game laws. During the confrontation, Curry boarded the violator's boat, where he was shot twice with a shotgun.
The violator, who was a fisherman, had a history of defying fish and game regulations, making him a target for enforcement actions by the game wardens.
On the day of the incident, Curry was accompanied by a former game warden, John Burke, who was also shot and killed during the altercation. The violent encounter resulted in the immediate deaths of both Curry and Burke. The fisherman, despite being apprehended and charged with murder, faced a grand jury that ultimately failed to indict him. This decision sparked outrage and disappointment among the law enforcement community and the public, as justice was perceived to have not been served.
The case of Deputy Game Warden Alan G. Curry's death highlights the dangers faced by game wardens in the line of duty, particularly when dealing with individuals who have a blatant disregard for the law. The lack of indictment for the offender remains a point of contention and a somber reminder of the challenges in prosecuting such cases. Despite the tragic outcome, Curry's dedication and sacrifice are remembered and honored by his colleagues and the community.
