Placerville in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Joseph M. Staples
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 19, 2006
1. Joseph M. Staples Marker
To The Memory of
Joseph M. Staples
El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff
Who Was Killed In The Line
Of Duty July 1, 1864
Erected 1986 by El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Law Enforcement Associates.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1874.
Location. 38° 43.867′ N, 120° 48.467′ W. Marker is in Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. Marker can be reached from Bee Street. Marker and Gravesite of Joseph M. Staples are located at the Union Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Placerville CA 95667, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Placerville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bee-Bennett House (about 500 feet away); Site of Original Raley’s Grocery Store (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Placerville Drive In Market (approx. ¼ mile away); Sgt. J. Scott Lindsay (approx. ¼ mile away); Three Unfortunates Hanged (approx. 0.3 miles away); Snowshoe Thompson
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. End of Watch: July 1, 1864
A group of outlaws had robbed the Comstock stages on the Placerville Road. A posse was formed at the Cary House in Placerville. Deputy Staples, a well-liked Irishman who lived in Coloma and was a member of the Neptune Company of the Placerville fire brigade, would lead the team. Staples, Van Eaton and Ranney rode south to Diamond Springs, where they turned east and began working their way along the Pleasant Valley Road. Deputy Staples discovered the robbers held up in the Somerset House, a large hotel on the north fork of the Cosumnes River where they spent the night. In the morning, two of Sheriff Rogers' deputies, Joseph Staples and George Ranney, rode up asking Mrs. Reynolds, the proprietor, if she had seen any strangers around. She nodded her head and motioned them to a side door. Deputy Staples rushed into the room yelling, "You men are all my prisoners!" whereupon he was met by a barrage of gunfire, killing him instantly.
— Submitted 
Joseph M. Staples
Deputy
Sheriff of El Dorado Co
KILLED
in attempting to Arrest the
Placerville Stage Robbers
July 1st, 1864
Aged
38 Years November 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 19, 2006
2. Joseph M. Staples Headstone at Gravesite
Additional keywords. Crime, Stagecoach Robberies, Murder
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 28, 2008
3. In Memory of the Bravery of Our Pioneer Officers Marker
Site of the Stage Robbery, Pollack Pines, Ca.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, October 30, 2008
4. In Respect of Joseph M. Staples Marker
An Additional Marker In Honor of Deputy Staples
Located on Main Street, Placerville
Click for more information.
Located on Main Street, Placerville
Click for more information.
Photographed By El Dorado County Sheriffs Office
5. Honored by the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office
Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office night shift honored the memory of Deputy Joseph Staples who was killed in the line of duty on July 1, 1864. Deputy Staples was attempting to apprehend stage coach robbery suspects in the Somerset area when he was gunned down by the robbers. Deputy Staples was the first El Dorado County Sheriff's Deputy killed in the line of duty, and even 154 years later his sacrifice is still remembered.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,970 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on July 6, 2018, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
