Patrol Inspector Bert G. Walthall

Bert G. Walthall

Patrol Inspector Bert Walthall was shot and killed at about 9:00 pm during a wild shootout with three Mexican alcohol smugglers at the intersection of Findley Avenue and S Raynor Street.

When he and two other inspectors pulled up beside their parked car and got out the three opened fire. Inspector Walthall was killed and an inspector was slightly wounded. As the car sped away both inspectors opened fire with their pistols. The car was found abandoned a few blocks away, riddled with bullet holes. Inside was one subject who had been fatally wounded by the return gunfire.

In the ensuing search that night the other two were captured suffering from gunshot wounds received in the shootout. Both were charged with murder and possession of illegal liquor.

On February 15, 1934, one of the men was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He received a conditional pardon on September 7, 1944, and was deported to Mexico. On June 7, 1954, his pardon was revoked. He was paroled on August 1, 1958. On March 1, 1934, another man was sentenced to life in prison. He received a conditional pardon on September 29, 1944.

Inspector Walthall had served with the United States Border Patrol for two years. He was survived by his wife and at least one daughter. He is buried in Thatcher, Arizona.