In the rugged landscape of Graham County, Arizona, a deadly confrontation unfolded that led to the death of Sheriff Robert F. McBride. At the age of 42, the male sheriff was killed by gunfire on February 9, 1918, near Safford. His death was not a solitary tragedy; Undersheriff Martin Kempton and Deputy Sheriff Kane Wooten were also fatally shot in the same incident.
The violent encounter occurred as the three lawmen approached a cabin with the intention of arresting two brothers and
another man for draft evasion. As they neared the dwelling, a hail of bullets met them, resulting in the deaths of the three officers. During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects inside the cabin was also killed. The remaining suspects managed to flee the scene, sparking a manhunt.
A month after the deadly shootout, a U.S. Cavalry Patrol located and captured the three surviving suspects near Hachita, New Mexico. The two brothers and their accomplice were brought to justice for the murders of the law enforcement officers. Following their trial, all three were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
The convicted men spent decades behind bars. One of the suspects died in prison on January 24, 1957, at the age of 86, holding the distinction of being Arizona's oldest prisoner at the time. The two remaining brothers were eventually paroled in 1960 and later received a pardon in 1969. Sheriff McBride was survived by his wife and seven children.
