Sheriff William Austin Goodman, Harney County Sheriff's Office, Oregon

Sheriff William Austin Goodman

Harney County Sheriff's Office, Oregon

End of Watch Wednesday, August 27, 1924

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William Austin Goodman

Sheriff W. Austin Goodman was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for writing bad checks in the Folly Farm area.

He met with the man on the border of Harney County and Malheur County and informed him he was under arrest. The subject pretended to comply with the arrest and said he had to get his coat. He walked to his horse but suddenly grabbed his rifle and shot Sheriff Goodman several times.

The man fled but was later apprehended by a posse led by Sheriff Goodman's son. He was convicted of Sheriff Goodman's murder, sentenced to death, and hanged on April 16th, 1926.

Sheriff Goodman had served as sheriff for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and children.

Bio

Age 54
Tour 10 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle; .30-.30
Offender Executed in 1926

arrest, fraud

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My dad William Austin Goodman was named after sheriff Goodman who was his grandfather. My father never met him as he wasn't born until 1925 and the sheriff passed away in 1924. From what I understand he was killed trying to make an arrest of a man named Cody who was a wanted horse thief and forger. As I was told, he bled to death because the people who owned the land where the incident took place, we're afraid to go to his aid because of the presence of the gunman.. Rest in peace great grandpa

Terry Goodman
Great grand son

December 7, 2024