On the evening of December 16, 1912, Undersheriff Robert Squires of Orange County, California, was tragically killed in what became known as the Tomato Springs shootout. The incident began when Sheriff Charles Ruddock received a call about a young girl in Irvine who had been attacked by a drifter. The suspect, later identified as Joe Matlock, had fled into the hills. Sheriff Ruddock, along with Undersheriff Squires and other law enforcement officers, formed a posse to apprehend the assailant. Matlock, a drifter from Oregon, had approached a local ranch earlier that day seeking work. After being turned away, he returned at night and attacked the ranch owner's niece, Myrtle. The posse tracked Matlock to an area known as Tomato Springs, where a fierce gunfight ensued.
During the confrontation, Squires and Matlock exchanged gunfire at close range, resulting in Squires' death. Matlock was also wounded in the shootout. The battle intensified as more law enforcement officers and local farmers joined the pursuit. By morning, over 200 people, including members of the National Guard, were involved in the standoff. The gunman, known as the "Tomato Springs Bandit," was eventually killed, with a bullet wound to his temple. Although many claimed to have fired the fatal shot, there was evidence suggesting that Matlock's final wound was self-inflicted. The identity of the criminal remained uncertain for several years until he was positively identified as Joe Matlock by his father, a former mayor of Eugene, Oregon, who initially denied the relationship.
The shootout at Tomato Springs was one of the bloodiest battles in Orange County's history, leaving Squires and Matlock dead and three others wounded. Squires became the first Orange County peace officer to be killed in the line of duty. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the challenges of maintaining public safety in the early 20th century. The bravery and sacrifice of Undersheriff Robert Squires are commemorated by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and his legacy continues to be honored by the community he served.
