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Carlos Tafolla

Case from Apache, AZ dated Oct 08, 1901

Victim Details

Name

Carlos Tafolla

Gender

Male

City

Apache

State

AZ

Date Of Death

1901-10-08

Age At Death

36

First Name

Carlos

Last Name

Tafolla

Last Updated

07/05/2026

Case Description

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In the rugged expanse near Reservation Creek in Apache County, Arizona Territory, a chapter of frontier justice came to a violent and somber end for 36-year-old Arizona Ranger Carlos Tafolla. On October 8, 1901, Tafolla, who had been with the newly formed Arizona Rangers for only six weeks, was part of a posse tracking the notorious Bill Smith Gang, a group known for their cattle rustling and other illicit activities. Alongside him rode Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell of the Apache County Sheriff ...

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Links to Additional Sources (6)

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Ranger Carlos Tafolla - Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)

Ranger Carlos Tafolla

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Forum Posts (3)

It's so tragic to think about the bravery it took for Ranger Carlos Tafolla and his colleagues to co... ...Read More
07/20/2024

I've been diving deep into different aspects of the tragic events surrounding Ranger Carlos Tafolla'... ...Read More
03/16/2024

I find myself thinking about the personal impacts of that tragic day in 1901, particularly for Range... ...Read More
09/16/2023

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