Medford in Jackson County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
August D. Singler
Jackson County Sheriff
| | January 1913 - April 1913 | |
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020
1. August D. Singler Marker
In the early evening hours of April 22, 1913, Sheriff Singler left his office in Jacksonville to serve an arrest warrant on 19 year old County resident, Lester Jones. Singler traveled to Jones' small cabin one mile south of town. When Singler entered the cabin, Jones opened fire with a revolver, mortally wounding the sheriff. Sheriff Singler returned fire, killing Jones. Sheriff Singler died in Medford the following day. One of the first peace officers in Oregon, and the first Jackson County sheriff killed in the line of duty.
Erected 1993.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1913.
Location. 42° 19.335′ N, 122° 52.69′ W. Marker is in Medford, Oregon, in Jackson County. It is on W 8th St, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 787 W 8th St, Medford OR 97501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Oregon. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Medford Public Library (about 600 feet away); First Public School Building in Medford (about 700 feet away); Scion of the Washington Elm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Medford Townsite
this page online
Also see . . . As It Was: Fugitive Kills Jackson County Sheriff.
The only Jackson County sheriff ever killed in the line of duty, August Singler, died in 1913 in an exchange of gunfire with 19-year-old fugitive Lester Jones.(Submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)
A Medford Mail Tribune article written by Nick Morgan said Singler had tried to catch Jones a day earlier for allegedly recruiting others to rob Jacksonvilles Beekman bank.
Morgan wrote, Tips led Singler to a cabin outside Jacksonville where Jones was hiding. At just after 6 p.m. Singler drew his revolver and opened the cabin door. Jones had been waiting for him. He fired three shots at the sheriff, including one into his chest. Singler returned fire, emptying his revolver with six shots that all hit the outlaw.
Jones was found dead at the scene of the shoot-out. Singler died the next morning at Medfords Sacred Heart Hospital. Singlers wife, Rose, and eight children survived him.
On May 14, 1993, Singlers surviving daughters joined more than 150 people at the official dedication inMedford of the August D. Singler Memorial Plaza in the space between the county justice building and the jail.Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 20202. August D. Singler MarkerTher marker's verbiage is located on the reverse side of the monument name.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020
3. August D. Singler Memorial Plaza
View of the plaza.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 25, 2020
4. August D. Singler Marker
August D. Singler Memorial Plaza and Jackson County Jail in the background.
Photographed by Creative Commons, March 30, 2016
5. Newspaper article of shooting
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
