John Harris Behan – 1st Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona
The annals of the American West are replete with figures larger than life, individuals whose actions, whether heroic or villainous, have been woven into the very fabric of the frontier narrative. Among these figures stands John Harris Behan, a man whose life encompassed the roles of lawman, politician, and a central figure in one of the most iconic events of the Old West: the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. His story is one of ambition, conflict, and ultimately, a legacy forever intertwined with the tumultuous history of Cochise County, Arizona.
Born in Westport, Missouri (now part of Kansas City), John Harris Behan’s early life offered little indication of the dramatic trajectory he would eventually follow. The burgeoning town, a crucial departure point for westward expansion, likely instilled in him a spirit of adventure and opportunity. As a young man, he ventured west to California, a land of promise fueled by the Gold Rush. There, he engaged in the rugged occupations of freighter and miner, experiences that undoubtedly hardened him and prepared him for the challenges that lay ahead. His early endeavors in California shaped the man who would later become the first Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona.
Behan’s path took a more definitive turn when he joined the California Column, a military unit tasked with securing the Southwest for the Union during the Civil War. He saw action at Apache Pass near Fort Bowie, Arizona, on July 15, 1862, participating in a skirmish that highlighted the ongoing conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes. This military service not only exposed him to the harsh realities of the Arizona Territory but also provided him with valuable skills and connections that would serve him well in his later career. His experiences as a soldier further molded his character, preparing him for the challenges of law enforcement and politics in the volatile West. The future Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, was forging his identity amidst the dust and conflict of the era.
Following his military service, Behan settled in Arizona in 1863, initially working as a freighter at Fort Lowell. He then moved on to the Cerro Colorado Mine in Pima County, before gravitating towards the Prescott area, where he pursued various employment opportunities. During this period, while prospecting along the Verde River on February 28, 1866, he and a small group of men were attacked by Native Americans. They successfully defended themselves, demonstrating Behan’s courage and resourcefulness in the face of danger. These early experiences in Arizona further solidified his ties to the territory and laid the foundation for his future involvement in law enforcement and politics. His time spent prospecting and surviving attacks contributed to the making of the first Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona.
His ascent into law enforcement began in 1866 when he became the undersheriff of John P. Bourke in Yavapai County, Arizona. In this role, Behan quickly earned a reputation as a brave and honest lawman. He participated in civilian groups that investigated Indian attacks, demonstrating his commitment to protecting the settlers of the region. During this time, he also married Victoria Zaff in 1869, and the couple would later have two children. His growing family and his increasing responsibilities as a lawman further cemented his position within the community. The reputation he earned as undersheriff paved the way for his future election as the first Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona.
By 1871, Behan’s reputation had grown to the point where he was appointed sheriff of Yavapai County, a position he held for two years. His tenure as sheriff was marked by a commitment to upholding the law and maintaining order in a rapidly developing region. In 1873, he transitioned into politics, serving as the Prescott representative in the Seventh state assembly. This foray into politics demonstrated his ambition and his desire to shape the future of Arizona. However, his personal life took a turn in 1875 when he and his wife divorced. Following the divorce, Behan moved to Mohave County, where he continued his political career, serving as a state assembly representative for Mohave County in 1879. His continued involvement in politics showcased his ambition and his desire to shape the future of the territory. The experience he gained in Yavapai County proved invaluable when he later became the first Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona.
The lure of burgeoning mining opportunities drew Behan southward to Tombstone. In 1880, he became a deputy under Sheriff Charles A. Shibell of Pima County. The following year, Cochise County, encompassing the booming town of Tombstone, was carved out of Pima County. With his established reputation and political connections, Behan secured the position of its first sheriff. He assembled a team of deputies, including Frank Stilwell and William Breakenridge, to help him maintain order in the notoriously lawless county. This appointment marked the pinnacle of his career as a lawman, placing him at the center of one of the most turbulent periods in Arizona’s history. As the first Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, he inherited a challenging and dangerous environment.
However, his tenure as Sheriff of Cochise County was defined by a bitter rivalry with the Earp brothers. Shortly after Behan’s appointment, Virgil Earp became the city marshal of Tombstone and recruited his brothers Wyatt and Morgan as "special deputy policemen." The Earps quickly clashed with the Clantons and the McLaurys, a group of cowboys whom Behan was perceived to favor. This conflict was further exacerbated by Behan’s romantic interest in Josephine Sarah Marcus, who was increasingly drawn to Wyatt Earp. This personal and professional rivalry would ultimately shape the course of his career and contribute to his controversial legacy. The tension between Behan and the Earps simmered, eventually erupting into the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, Behan arrested Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp, along with Doc Holliday, for the murder of Billy Clanton and Tom and Frank McLaury. However, after a lengthy preliminary hearing, Judge Wells Spicer ruled that the Earps and Holliday had acted within the law. This decision was a major blow to Behan’s authority and further fueled the animosity between him and the Earp faction. His actions following the gunfight cemented his image as an opponent of the Earps, a perception that continues to define his legacy. The aftermath of the O.K. Corral gunfight forever linked John Harris Behan’s name to the tumultuous history of Tombstone and the Old West.
The Earp Vendetta Ride in September 1882 further strained Behan’s relationship with his deputies. His feud with William Breakenridge made him unpopular with the citizens of Cochise County. Investigations also revealed that Behan had accumulated a significant sum of money during his time as sheriff, raising questions about the source of his wealth. The combination of these factors led to a decline in his popularity and ultimately cost him his position.
The public’s growing dissatisfaction with Behan resulted in him receiving the lowest number of votes among the sheriff nominees within his own party. This outcome was highly unusual for an incumbent sheriff and reflected the deep divisions within the community. As a result, he was forced out of office in November 1882, marking the end of his career as a peace officer. Despite his earlier successes, his tenure as Sheriff of Cochise County ended in disgrace.
Despite this setback, Behan continued to seek opportunities in public service. In 1888, he became the Deputy Superintendent of the Territorial State Prison at Yuma, a position that prompted former Tombstone resident and writer George Parsons to sarcastically suggest that Behan was on the wrong side of the bars. Later, he served as a U.S. agent in El Paso, Texas, tasked with controlling smuggling in the area. These later positions, while less prominent than his role as sheriff, demonstrate his continued involvement in law enforcement and his commitment to public service.
John Harris Behan died of Brights Disease in Tucson on June 7, 1912, and was buried at a now-lost site in Tucson’s Holy Hope Cemetery. His life was a complex tapestry of ambition, conflict, and controversy. While he is often remembered as the antagonist in the Earp saga, his contributions to the development of Arizona as a lawman and politician cannot be ignored. The legacy of the first Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, remains a subject of debate and fascination, a testament to the enduring power of the Old West myth.