Lee Vining in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Sheriff James P. Dolan
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2007
1. Sheriff James P. Dolan Marker
In July of 1915, the peace and quiet of Mono County was shattered when Sheriff James P. Dolan died as a result of gunshot wounds received while attempting to apprehend two outlaws who had terrorized ranchers a short distance from this location.
Outraged by the shooting of Sheriff Dolan, the citizens of Mono County quickly formed a Sheriffs posse which tracked the outlaws to a location near the Mono Craters. Justice was served when both outlaws were killed in a shootout with possemen. A coroners inquest determined Death caused by resisting arrest by duly constituted representatives of the sheriffs office.
Sheriff Dolan, the 15th lawman to serve that office since the formation of Mono County, made the ultimate sacrifice with the fearless determination which had been entrusted to him by the citizens of Mono County.
By Martin A. Strelneck
Sheriff Mono County
Erected 1993 by E Clampus Vitus - Bodie Chapter.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1915.
Location. 37°
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Upside-Down House (approx. 1½ miles away); Lee Vining (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mono Lake (approx. 2.4 miles away); Grave of Adeline Carson Stilts (approx. 2½ miles away); Avalanche of 1911 (approx. 5.3 miles away); From Scrubland to Ranchland (approx. 5.3 miles away); The De Chambeau Family (approx. 5.4 miles away); De Chambeau Ranch (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lee Vining.
More about this marker. The marker is several hundred feet off of I-395, at the top of the parking lot for Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve. Although on the map the turnoff may be called Picnic Grounds Road, on I-395 it may actually simply be signed for the Tufa Reserve.
Regarding Sheriff James P. Dolan. The Mono County Historical Society 2008 Newsletter on "Law and Order" had this to say about Sheriff Dolan:
"James P. Dolan successfully ran for Sheriff of Mono County in 1906. He was born in Michigan, but was raised in Bodie. Dolan was a rancher, assayer, outdoorsman, and
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 22, 2008
2. Sheriff James P. Dolan Marker - Wide Shot
Looking north, with Mono Lake in the background.
On Sunday morning, July 25, 1915, Sheriff Dolan was called to the Filosena Ranch to investigate the rape of a girl by two armed Mexican Nationals. Dolan and Frank Waltze drove to the Hammond Store (now the Tioga Lodge on US 395) to meet witnesses.
While there, Dolan saw the suspects walking to Lee Vining Creek. Waltze drove the Sheriff down the road and parked, pretending to have car trouble. Dolan got out of the car armed with a 45 pistol, tucked in his belt. He walked to the men, announced himself, and ordered them to surrender. The two suspects drew their weapons, firing on the Sheriff simultaneously. Dolan tried to return fire, but his pistol jammed. Dolan stumbled into the brush, while the suspects fled.
Dolan was taken to Hammonds store where doctors from Bridgeport, Bishop, Carson City, and Reno eventually responded and performed emergency surgery. Dolan was able to describe his attackers while he was conscious. The suspects were tracked down later that day, and were shot dead when they resisted arrest. Sheriff James P. Dolan died early the next day, and was buried at Bridgeport Cemetery."
Also see . . .
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 5, 2009
3. Sheriff James P. Dolan Marker
1. Sheriff James P. Dolan. Officer Down Memorial Page website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2008.)
2. Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve. California State Parks website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2008.)
3. The California Peace Officers' Memorial Web Site. (Submitted on September 13, 2008.)
Photographed by Unknown, circa 1900
4. Sheriff James P. Dolan
Sheriff James P Dolan in 1900.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 8, 2009
5. Mono Lake Tufa's
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2007
6. Entrance Sign for Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve
The entrance sign as seen from the marker location. In the background on picture left several tufa towers are visible. These are formed when calcium-rich spring water enters carbonate-rich alkali waters, as in Mono Lake. At the time Dolan was killed, these would have been submerged, as the lake level is some 20 feet lower than when the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water started diverting water from the lake in 1941.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 23, 2007
7. Mono Craters
This is a view of the Mono Craters mentioned on the marker, taken from the mouth of Lee Vining Creek.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 12, 2008
8. California Peace Officers' Memorial
Sheriff Dolan is also memorialized at the California Peace Officers' Memorial, located at 10th Street and Capitol Mall in Sacramento, California. Erected in 1988, the Memorial honors the more than 1,400 peace officers who gave their lives in the course of duty. The plaque bearing Sheriff Dolan's name is in the picture closest to the arm of the statue of the grieving woman and child.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 12, 2008
9. California Peace Officers' Memorial - Plaque with Sheriff Dolan's name
Sheriff Dolan's name can be found in the righthand column, second from the bottom.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,648 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on November 6, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 5. submitted on September 11, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 13, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
