26, of Camarillo, Calif.; assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga; killed during a rescue mission during Operation Anaconda on March 4, 2002, in Afghanistan. Native of Carlsbad, New Mexico

Died:
March 04, 2002

Eddy, N M February 19, 1897

Yesterday evening about 6:45 p.m.  Sheriff J L Dow  was assassinated on Fox street, in Eddy.  He was coming from the bank building when almost in front of the Argus office he was shot by one of two men, who were concealed in doorway of a building, and had evidently been waiting for him. Two shots were fired only one taking effect . The ball entered the left corner of the mouth shattered the jawbone and passed out at the back of the neck. The pistol was held quite close as his face was powder burned. Immediately after the shooting the parties ran past the office and turned down into the alley. Mr Dow staggered across the street finally sinking down in front the O K Restaurant from where he was carried into Blackmore's drugstore. His wound was dressed and later he was removed to his home. It was not thought at the time that the wound was fatal but he only survived to this morning, dying about 7 o'clock . While nothing positive has been announced, it is thought the men were recognized by Mr. Dow, and that they are also known to the officers , and that arrests will soon follow.

Leslie Dow was a native of San Saba Texas born about 1860., He was survived by a wife and two young children.

Dave L Kemp was tried and acquitted in the killing of Dow, he stated he did it in self defense.

On Thursday Bud Johnson, was shot and killed by L E Pratt , The latter it is alleged was using more than his share of water from the Hope district ditch, guarding the headgate with the shotgun with a shotgun to prevent the shutting off of the water. A warrant was sworn out charging Pratt with carrying weapons and was given to Johnson to serve. Johnson went to Pratts field and told him of his errand , when the latter fired one shot killing the officer  instantly. A man by the name of Richards who accompanied Johnson was shot twice through the shoulder. After the shooting Pratt hitched up a team and headed out of the country. A posse soon followed and those that know the temper of the people, predict that a necktie frolic will be indulged when the fugitive is captured.

He was 58 years of age, He was shot and killed while trying to apprehend an escaped prisoner from Texas.

An article Dated: 1922-06-05; in the  Albuquerque Morning Journal states:

Sheriff of Eddy County is slain in gunfight.

George Batton is instantly killed by a Mexican Outlaw, an escaped convict , at Hope New Mexico.

Carlsbad, NM June 4- George Batton Sheriff of Eddy County, New Mexico  was instantly killed and Deputy Sheriff Stone Wilburn seriously wounded at 11o'clock Saturday at Hope, NM, northwest of  here, in a gun  battle with a Mexican outlaw and a gunman, who had escaped from a Texas State penitentiary while serving a life sentence. Sheriff Batton and Deputy Wilburn and Sam Batton went to Hope to get the man on advice from the Texas authorities. The officers received information to the effect that he was located in a certain house  but when they went there two women answered their knock at  the door are said to have claimed that the Mexican was not there and the officers were invited to enter the house and look for him. The outlaw had hidden behind the dresser and as the sheriff entered one door and Deputy Wilburn the other, the outlaw fired on Batton, killing him instantly, and also fired on the deputy wounding him in his side.The outlaw was shot through the heart and back and was instantly killed.

He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son, who was later elected sheriff of Eddy County.