Peace Officers of Arizona
By James Harvey McClintock in 1913
The Arizona Territory, a land etched with rugged landscapes and simmering with the promise of fortune, demanded a unique breed of lawman. These Peace Officers of Arizona were not merely badge-wearing officials; they were often the sole guardians of order in a chaotic environment where the lines between right and wrong blurred with the desert mirage. They were tasked with upholding the law in a territory teeming with cattle rustlers, outlaws, and fortune seekers, each vying for their piece of the untamed West. This article, penned by James Harvey McClintock in 1913, offers a glimpse into the lives and exploits of some of these legendary figures, men whose courage and determination helped shape the very fabric of Arizona.
Henry Garfias: A Study in Bravery
Henry Garfias, a name synonymous with bravery in Arizona, arrived in 1874 from Anaheim, California. Described as one of the bravest men in a region known for its courageous individuals, Garfias quickly established himself as a formidable force for law and order. In 1876, he was elected constable of Phoenix, a testament to the respect and trust he had earned from the community. From that moment forward, until his death, Garfias served as a Peace Officer of Arizona in various capacities, including a stint as the city marshal for seven or eight years.
One particularly harrowing incident underscores Garfias’s unwavering commitment to duty. A notorious desperado named Oviedo, infamously known as the "Saber Slasher," was apprehended. Due to a pre-existing personal animosity between the two men, Garfias initially hesitated to make the arrest, but his sense of duty prevailed. Oviedo, who had previously threatened to kill Garfias on sight, presented a deadly challenge.
As Garfias approached to make the arrest, Oviedo seized a shotgun and fired at point-blank range. Garfias, renowned for his lightning-fast draw, reacted with incredible speed. As the buckshot whizzed past his head, he managed to fire two shots from his revolver, both striking Oviedo and ending the threat. This dramatic encounter solidified Garfias’s reputation as a fearless Peace Officer of Arizona who would not back down in the face of danger.
Another noteworthy event during Garfias’s tenure as city marshal involved a group of rowdy Texas cowboys who, fresh from their home state, decided to "shoot up" Phoenix. Unfamiliar with the marshal’s formidable reputation, they unleashed a volley of gunfire and boisterous yells upon the unsuspecting town.
Garfias, upon hearing the commotion, swiftly mounted his horse and confronted the four cowboys, who were recklessly firing at doors, signs, and hanging lamps along Washington Street. When ordered to surrender, the cowboys responded with gunfire. Undeterred, Garfias returned fire, managing to wound two of the cowboys, one fatally, despite being targeted by a hail of bullets. He then swiftly apprehended the remaining cowboys and placed them in jail, effectively quelling the disturbance and reinforcing his authority as a respected Peace Officer of Arizona.
George Scarborough: Feared by Cattle Rustlers
Moving beyond Phoenix, the narrative shifts to George Scarborough of Deming, New Mexico, another prominent figure in the annals of Southwestern law enforcement. Scarborough, known for his unwavering dedication to his duty, had killed several men in the line of fire. However, he was never considered a bully, but a determined and feared officer. He was particularly dreaded by cattle rustlers, who recognized his relentless pursuit of justice. His name became synonymous with law and order in the region, striking fear into the hearts of those who dared to defy the law.
In April 1900, Scarborough, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Walter Birchfield of Cochise County, embarked on an investigation into a case of cattle rustling near San Simon. While traversing the Chiricahua Mountains, they were ambushed. Undeterred, the two officers charged into the rocky terrain, revolvers drawn, amidst a barrage of gunfire.
Both officers sustained injuries in the ambush, with Scarborough suffering severe wounds. Birchfield, despite his own injuries, managed to dismount and construct a makeshift rock fortification. Under the cover of darkness, he left the severely wounded Scarborough and rode off in search of help. He returned before dawn with a posse of cowboys from San Simon, but the outlaws had already fled toward Mexico. Scarborough succumbed to his injuries two days later, becoming a martyr in the fight against lawlessness. His unwavering commitment to justice cemented his place as a legendary Peace Officer of Arizona.
Jim Dodson: The Melodramatic Marshal of Prescott
For approximately fifteen years, Jim Dodson served as the Peace Officer of Arizona in Prescott. Dodson was a man who embodied the archetypal city marshal of the era. He operated according to his own principles, displaying little interest in petty offenses. Instead, he focused on pursuing significant criminals. He was never without his large revolver, a tool he kept at his side. As a testament to his reputation, the citizens of Prescott presented him with a silver-mounted belt, upon which he had etched eight notches, each representing a man he had killed in the line of duty.
Dodson’s presence likely contributed to Prescott’s relatively orderly atmosphere, even when large numbers of cowboys and miners flocked to the town. Rumor had it that he had been a member of Quantrill’s guerrilla band during the Civil War. After retiring as Marshal, he worked as a guard at the Yuma penitentiary. His rifle skills proved invaluable in thwarting at least one daring escape attempt by prisoners. He spent his final years in Phoenix, where he passed away on May 10, 1907, at the age of 67.
Peter Gabriel and Joe Phy: A Deadly Rivalry in Florence
One of the most infamous shooting incidents in Arizona’s history occurred in June 1888 on the main street of Florence, involving Peter Gabriel and Joe Phy. Both men were highly regarded as skilled gunfighters of their time. Gabriel had previously served as Sheriff and a U.S. Deputy Marshal. Phy had also served as an officer of the law, holding the position of Deputy Sheriff under Gabriel.
A bitter rivalry developed between the two men after Phy failed to succeed Gabriel as Sheriff. Tensions had been simmering for weeks, and it was widely known that a confrontation between them would likely have deadly consequences. The fateful encounter occurred unexpectedly in Keating’s Saloon. A rapid exchange of gunfire ensued, with each man claiming the other had fired first. The conflict then spilled out onto the street, where the gunfight continued.
Both men emptied their revolvers, with each shot finding its mark. Phy eventually fell to the ground with a broken hip bone. Gabriel, barely standing, was met with a defiant challenge from his wounded opponent: "Damn you. I can’t get up. Get down here, and we’ll finish it up with knives." Gabriel, struck in the kidneys, responded, "I guess we both have plenty," before attempting to cross the street, collapsing shortly thereafter. Phy died during the night. Gabriel was left unattended for hours until a surgeon arrived from Sacaton. He recovered and later moved to Yuma. Gabriel, despite his faults, was considered the more honorable of the two, but struggled with alcohol. Phy had been ambushed and stabbed by Mexicans in Phoenix prior to the duel. After recovering, he moved to Florence, claiming Phoenix was too dangerous for him. The shootout between Gabriel and Phy serves as a stark reminder of the violence that was often a part of life for Peace Officers of Arizona in the late 19th century.
The San Juan’s Day Shootout in Saint Johns
The town of Saint Johns experienced its wildest day on San Juan’s Day, June 24, 1882, when Nat Greet and a group of Texas cowboys attempted to "shoot up" the town. Accustomed to seeing Mexicans flee at the sound of gunfire, they underestimated the resilience of the residents of Saint Johns. The Mexicans refused to be intimidated and returned fire, particularly from an improvised fortress in the loft of Sol Barth’s home. The defense was led by Perez Tomas, a Mexican Deputy Sheriff, described as a fine man.
Only one Mexican, Tafolla, was wounded. Father Nathan C. Tenney, a beloved Mormon resident, was accidentally killed while trying to mediate. One of the attackers, Vaughn, was killed, and Harris Greer was wounded. The Texans were eventually driven back and later arrested. Tensions ran high, with the Mexican population even threatening to storm the jail. Through the efforts of Sheriff E.S. Stover and Barth, a lynching was averted, and the raiders ultimately received a lenient punishment. The events of San Juan’s Day demonstrated the importance of community defense in the face of lawlessness and the complex social dynamics of the Peace Officers of Arizona.
The stories of these Peace Officers of Arizona offer a glimpse into a turbulent era. They faced danger and uncertainty with remarkable bravery, shaping the landscape of the American West through their dedication to upholding the law. Their names echo through history, reminding us of the sacrifices made to bring order to a wild and untamed land.
Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2025.
Also See:
- Henry Garfias
- Arizona Rangers
- Arizona Main Page
- Old West Lawmen
- Lawmen and Gunfighters Photo Gallery
Notes and Author: James Harvey McClintock was born in Sacramento in 1864 and moved to Arizona at 15. Between 1913 and 1916, McClintock published a three-volume history of Arizona called Arizona: The Youngest State (now in the public domain) in which this article appeared. He died on May 10, 1934, at the age of 70.