Fallen peace officer. On Memorial Day, May 30, 1952 Dona Ana County Deputy Sheriff Ralph Higginbotham and Hatch Town Marshal Guy Dunivan were standing on the street in Hatch when they noticed a speeding car approaching. They waved the car to the curb. As the officers approached, the car's driver opened fire with a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Deputy Higginbotham was hit in the neck and arm and knocked down. He died of his wounds a few hours later. Marshal Dunivan was hit in the shoulder, but survived. In spite of their wounds, both officers returned fire, each emptying his revolver. The killer was able to escape and suffered only minor wounds from flying glass. He was captured shortly thereafter by an impromptu citizens posse and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of the young officer, who left behind a wife and three small children. Deputy Higginbotham is memorialized at Panel 58-W: 6 on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.
Article Credit Find a Grave Contributor George Bacon - ID no. 46523227
Article Credit Find a Grave Contributor George Bacon - ID no. 46523227
Fallen peace officer. On Memorial Day, May 30, 1952 Dona Ana County Deputy Sheriff Ralph Higginbotham and Hatch Town Marshal Guy Dunivan were standing on the street in Hatch when they noticed a speeding car approaching. They waved the car to the curb. As the officers approached, the car's driver opened fire with a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Deputy Higginbotham was hit in the neck and arm and knocked down. He died of his wounds a few hours later. Marshal Dunivan was hit in the shoulder, but survived. In spite of their wounds, both officers returned fire, each emptying his revolver. The killer was able to escape and suffered only minor wounds from flying glass. He was captured shortly thereafter by an impromptu citizens posse and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of the young officer, who left behind a wife and three small children. Deputy Higginbotham is memorialized at Panel 58-W: 6 on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.
Article Credit Find a Grave Contributor George Bacon - ID no. 46523227
Article Credit Find a Grave Contributor George Bacon - ID no. 46523227
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