Deputy Warren LaRue was 56 and nearing retirement after nearly 25 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office when he was killed on Monday, January 18, 1971. He and his partner, Deputy Rex Stone, were serving a civil writ to seize a mobile home at 5344 East Van Buren Street in Phoenix to satisfy an $833 judgment when the homeowner produced a .32 caliber handgun and opened fire.

Deputy LaRue was shot four times in the back. Deputy Stone returned fire, striking the suspect five times, but the suspect also shot Deputy Stone three times. All three men were fatally wounded at the scene. No arrests were made because the suspect died at the location. Deputy LaRue was survived by his wife and son.

If anyone has information about the incident or remembers details from that day, please share what is known.