In the spring of 1919, a violent altercation within the city jail in Tempe, Arizona, claimed the life of 34-year-old Night Officer Albert Nettle. The events unfolded on the evening of May 17, 1919, as the city marshal was returning four prisoners to their cells following their supper. One of the inmates began to struggle with the marshal, leading to the marshal's firearm falling from its holster.
As one of the prisoners seized the fallen weapon, Officer Nettle entered the room and
bravely intervened. He managed to grab the armed inmate from behind, pinning his arms to his sides. In a tragic turn of events, another prisoner took advantage of the situation, grabbing Officer Nettle's own service weapon from its holster. This second inmate opened fire, the first round striking and instantly killing the prisoner that Officer Nettle was restraining.
The armed prisoner then turned the weapon on Officer Nettle, shooting him in the back. The bullet exited through his neck, inflicting a mortal wound. The shooter fled the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement a short time later.
Despite the efforts of those who attended to him, Officer Albert Nettle succumbed to his injuries two days later, on May 19, 1919, without ever regaining consciousness. The prisoner responsible for his murder was ultimately sentenced to 10 years in prison on a manslaughter charge. Officer Nettle was survived by his mother, five brothers, and two sisters.
