In the rugged landscape of Pinal County, Arizona, the life of 32-year-old Deputy Sheriff William Dobson, a Caucasian male, was cut tragically short. On the leap day of February 29, 1912, Deputy Dobson was in the process of arresting a man who was falsely presenting himself as a constable. As Dobson reached to remove the badge the imposter was wearing, the man suddenly drew a handgun and fired, shooting the deputy four times.
The grievously wounded lawman was transported to a local
hospital for medical attention. Despite the efforts to save him, Deputy Sheriff William Dobson succumbed to his gunshot wounds the following day, on March 1, 1912. His death left behind a wife and two children. After five years of service with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, his watch had come to a violent end.
The man who shot Deputy Dobson was apprehended and ultimately faced justice for his crime. He was convicted of second-degree murder and received a sentence of 20 years in prison. In a further twist to the case, a local justice of the peace was also implicated and charged with aiding and abetting the suspect. He too was convicted of second-degree murder and handed a 20-year prison sentence. However, in November of 1913, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed the conviction of the justice of the peace.
