National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Sheriff

Memorial Panel: 22-W: 16

Department: Nevada County, California, S.O.

End of Watch: July 26, 1896

Cause: SHOT

Age: 40

Years of Service: Unk

Description: Sheriff Douglass was fatally shot when he tracked down and attempted to arrest a wanted bandit. Sheriff Douglass died at the scene. The bandit was also killed. However, the coronerŸ??s jury concluded that Sheriff Douglass had been killed by an accomplice of the bandit. Sixty-six years later a retired executive confessed to the crime. He was 12 years old when he shot Sheriff Douglass in the belief that he was a desperado in a gunfight with his friend the bandit. Officials declined to press charges.