William Blake, aged 47, died on November 23, 1911, in Redding, California. His death was the result of a gunshot wound sustained while he was performing his duties as a Deputy Constable for the Shasta County Constable's Office. On the day of the incident, Blake and another deputy were attempting to arrest two Native American men who had been accused of murdering a rancher near Fall River Mills. The deputies had positioned themselves on a road they knew the suspects would be traveling. When the suspects passed by, the deputies ordered them to stop, but the suspects opened fire. Blake was shot in the hip during the exchange of gunfire. Despite being taken to a local doctor who amputated his leg in an attempt to save his life, Blake succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The suspects, a father and son, fled the scene but were captured seven weeks later in Lovelock, Nevada. The father was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, including the murder of Deputy Blake.
During the trial, the father claimed that he had acted in self-defense when he shot the rancher and Deputy Blake. Ultimately, he was acquitted of the charges. The son, who was found to be deaf and mute, did not face charges related to the incident. The father later died in an automobile accident near Red Bluff on August 16, 1924.
Blake's death was a significant event in the local community, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers during that period. His sacrifice was remembered by his family and the community, and he was buried in Susanville Cemetery in Lassen County, California. The case of his death and the subsequent trial of the suspects were notable events in the history of Redding and Shasta County, reflecting the complexities and challenges of law enforcement in the early 20th century.
