In the rugged landscape of Gila, Arizona, the life of 38-year-old Deputy Sheriff Charles B. Edwards was tragically cut short on Friday, January 10, 1908. A dedicated male lawman, he was returning to his home in the Tonto Creek area after testifying in a trial in Roosevelt. As he traveled, he was ambushed approximately twelve miles north of Roosevelt, a fatal attack that ended his watch.
The ambush was carried out from a concealed spot, with shots striking Deputy Edwards in the breast,
arm, and side. In a final, brutal act, another shot was fired at close range into his left eye. The violent end to his life left a void in the community and a deep wound for his family, which included his wife and four daughters. The motive for the killing was believed to be rooted in a previous arrest made by the deputy.
In the wake of the murder, a local rancher and his two sons were taken into custody during the investigation. There was known animosity between the deputy and the family, stemming from his prior arrest of the sons. However, the case against them ultimately faltered. Due to insufficient evidence, the charges were dropped, and the three men were released. To this day, the murder of Deputy Sheriff Charles B. Edwards remains officially unsolved, a cold case that speaks to the perils of law enforcement in the early days of Arizona's history.
