Edward Landers Drew, a 45-year-old male, had only been a Pinal County Deputy Sheriff for three months before his untimely death. On the night of May 15, 1911, shortly before midnight, he was in a saloon in Sonoratown, a small mining community just south of Ray, Arizona. While speaking with the bar's owner, a man named Jack Monroe entered through a back door.
His face was concealed by a mask, and he brandished a revolver.
Monroe immediately confronted Drew, demanding that he 'Throw up your hands.' Drew hesitated, unwilling to surrender without a fight. Seeing his reluctance, Monroe stepped closer and slapped the deputy across the face, repeating his command with an added expletive. Instead of complying, Drew reached for his own revolver. In that moment, Monroe fired his weapon, striking Drew.
Despite being shot, Drew was not immediately incapacitated and began to fire back at his assailant while advancing on him. A struggle ensued, during which Monroe shot Drew a second time before fleeing the scene. A few days later, the murderer, Jack Monroe, was captured at his camp outside of Ray. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Drew. Monroe was eventually released in 1947 due to failing health. Edward Landers Drew's body was taken by his brother to Pearce, where he was buried in the local cemetery.
