Special Deputy Frank Hamilton

Medal of Honor - Special Deputy Frank Hamilton

April 9, 1895

In the early years of Riverside County, special deputies were used throughout the county to support the operation of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. In the first few years of its existence, the Riverside County Sheriffs Office consisted of one Sheriff and two Deputy Sheriffs.

"Special Deputies" were used regionally to supplement the Sheriff’s Office and provide law enforcement in the outlying areas of the county.

In 1895, two years after Riverside County was formed, the area was still the "wild west" with men wearing gun belts and pistols, people traveling on horseback, and everything else associated with the old "cowboy days."

Frank Hamilton

Also in 1895, a Native American man from the Cahuilla area, later to be known as Anza, was working as a Riverside County Special Deputy Sheriff in the region. This man, Frank Hamilton, acted as a law enforcement officer for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in the areas surrounding the Cahuilla (Anza) area, including the area of San Jacinto.

In the evening hours on April 8, 1895, Frank Hamilton was in the town of San Jacinto tending to his business and duties as a Special Deputy Sheriff would in the old west. He was in the town saloon when a disagreement erupted between him and Charles Marshall. Marshall became enraged over the disagreement. Hamilton, who was armed with his pistol at the time, told Marshall to go away and that he did not want any trouble with him. The two then parted ways.

Hamilton continued about his duties and went to another San Jacinto business. Marshall, still enraged from being disrespected by Special Deputy Hamilton, a Native American, began roaming the town of San Jacinto in search of a pistol to borrow.

Shooting

Ultimately, Hamilton ended up in an alley adjacent to the town saloon talking to Albert Larson about the earlier argument he had with Charles Marshall. During Hamilton’s conversation with Larson. Marshall suddenly emerged in the alley armed with a revolver he had borrowed. Marshall immediately began firing his pistol at Hamilton without warning. Marshall’s gunfire initially struck Larson and subsequently struck Hamilton. Hamilton, despite being severely wounded, was able to draw his revolver and return fire and wound Marshall.

All three men were taken for medical attention. Albert Larson died early the next morning from the gunshot wounds he received from Charles Marshall. Riverside County Special Deputy Sheriff Frank Hamilton died in the afternoon of April 9, 1895 (the day after the shooting) from the gunshot wound he received from Charles Marshall. Charles Marshall recovered from the gunshot wounds he received from Special Deputy Frank Hamilton. Marshall was later tried and convicted in Riverside County Courts for the murder of Albert Larson and Frank Hamilton.

First Officer Killed

Riverside County Special Deputy Sheriff Frank Hamilton died from gunshot injuries he sustained while acting within his official capacity as a Special Deputy Sheriff in the old west town of San Jacinto in 1895. Native American/Special Deputy Frank Hamilton was possibly the first Riverside County Sheriff’s Office employee killed in the line of duty.