El Dorado County Sheriff's Office

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) July 1, 2022 — Today, we and honor Deputy Joseph Staples who was the first El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff to die in the line of duty. On June 30, 1864, a band of men led by Thomas Poole and Ralph Henry stopped two Pioneer Stage Line coaches traveling with their shipments from Virginia City, Nevada to Placerville.

After appropriating over $40,000.00 in silver bullion, they arrived at the Somerset House, a large hotel on the north fork of the Cosumnes River where they spent the night. In the morning, Deputies Joseph Staples and George Ranney determined the location of the group and Deputy Staples rushed into the room yelling, “You men are all my prisoners!”. Deputy Staples was met by a barrage of gunfire, killing him instantly.

With a price on their heads, the bandits fled El Dorado County, and they were ultimately captured in Santa Clara County. Thomas Poole stood trial for the murder of Deputy Staples. On September 29, 1865, he was hanged on the Placerville Gallows. According to the local paper’s obituary, Joe Staples was buried on July 2, 1864, at the Placerville Union Cemetery.

We want to recognize Deputy Joseph Staples for his sacrifice. We will never forget.

— Inscription —

IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF JOSEPH M. STAPLES DEPUTY SHERIFF OF EL DORADO COUNTY PLACERVILLE CALIFORNIA

ON THURSDAY. JUNE 30, 1864 AT ABOUT 10 PM TWO WEST-BOUND STAGE COACHES OF THE PIONEER STAGE COMPANY WERE HELD UP AND THE PASSENGERS ROBBED AT GUN-POINT AT A LOCATION APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES EAST OF PLACERVILLE. THE BANDITS DEMANDED AND OBTAINEII WELLS, FARGO & CO TREASURY BOXES PLUS SEVERAL SACKS OF BULLION, STATING THAT THEY WERE CONFEDERAIF SOLDIERS TRYING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CONFEDERACY.

FOLLOWING THE ROBBERY, THE OUTLAWS SEPERATED INTO TWO GROUPS, ONE HEADING WEST TO THE THIRTEEN MILE HOUSE, AND THE 0THER HEADING SOUTH-WEST SOMERSET, ARRIVINGN THERE IN THE EARLY MORNING OF JULY 1ST. FOLLOWING THEIR TRAIL DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSEPH STAPLES, ACCOMPANIED BY CONSTIBLE VAN EATON AND RANNEY CONFRONTED THE OUTLAWS AT THE SOMERSET HOUSE. IN THE ENSUING GUN BATTLE STAPLES WAS KILLED AND SUSPECT THOMAS POOLE AND CONSTABLE RANNEY WERE WOUNDED.

SUSPECT POOLE WAS CAPTURED AT TTHE SCENE AND LATER TRIED AND CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF STAPLES. HE WAS EXECUTED BY BEINO HANGED IN PLACERVILLE ON SEPT. 29, 1865.

DEPUTY SHERIFF STAPLES WAS THE FIRST EL DORADO COUNTY PEACE OFFICER TO GIVE HIS LIFE IN THE PURSUIT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. AS SUCH, HE DESERVES THE RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION^ Al I 01 I HE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS OF CALIFORNIA.

DEDICATED JULY 1 1992 PIY PEACE OFFICERS AND THEIR FRIENDS.