On a summer night in 1973, the community of Bagdad, Arizona, was irrevocably changed by an act of violence that cut short the life of a dedicated lawman. George Edward McMurren, a 43-year-old White male, had been with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office for only six months, yet he had already established himself as a kind and compassionate officer.
His journey to this remote Arizona town was a long one, having previously served for thirteen and a half years with the Philadelphia Police Department. A veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as a paratrooper during the Korean War, McMurren was a man committed to service and the protection of others.
The fatal encounter on June 24, 1973, unfolded as Deputy McMurren was investigating a case of cattle rustling near Bagdad. Positioned on a hill, he used his flashlight to illuminate the area where he believed the suspects were located. Tragically, this beacon of light, intended to expose the truth, became a target. One of the suspects, a 28-year-old former Marine Corps sharpshooter, took aim at the light and fired his rifle. The bullet struck Deputy McMurren in the chest, and he died at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the suspect was apprehended by law enforcement. The investigation led to his conviction for the murder of Deputy Sheriff George Edward McMurren. The man responsible for ending the life of a husband, father of six, and grandfather to one was sentenced to life in prison for his crime. The loss of Deputy McMurren was a profound blow to his family, his colleagues in law enforcement, and the small community he had sworn to protect.
