Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Fallen Officer

On May 3, 1865, Sheriff Cornelius Sage and an associate, Richard Bell, were shot and killed when they were ambushed by Yavapai Apache tribe members at Willow Springs, between Camp Date Creek and Kirkland Valley. The two were en route from La Paz to Prescott, Arizona on official business when the ambush took place.

Cornelius Sage was born in Portland, Connecticut circa 1836. According to the La Paz Census Returns for the 2nd Judicial District dated May 17, 1864, Sage came to the Arizona in 1863 and his listed occupation was mining.

On or about December 15, 1864, Sage was appointed Sheriff of Yuma County by Arizona Territory Governor John N. Goodwin to replace William Werninger upon his resignation. Sage had previously served as Constable of Castle Dome, also appointed by Governor Goodwin (October 1864). Sheriff Sage served at La Paz, then the county seat, until his death.

Sheriff Sage, 29 years of age, was survived by his parents, Henry and Lucinda Sage.

Following are newspaper articles and other information found on the internet regarding Sheriff Cornelius Sage

• 1850 Federal Census - August 28, 1850: Portland, Connecticut - Sage Family
• 1864 Census of the Colorado District - May 17, 1864: La Paz Census Returns, 2nd Judicial District (Page No. 24 - Cornelius Sage)
• The Arizona Miner - Wednesday, October 5, 1864: Cornelius Sage appointed Constable at Castle Dome
• Los Angeles Tri-City News - May 20, 1865: More Murders by the Apaches
• The Salt Lake City Desert News - Wednesday, June 7, 1865: Arizona
• The San Francisco Examiner - Monday, June 19, 1865: Robbers and Murder in Arizona
• Center Cemetery (Portland Burying Ground) Burial List: Sage, Cornelius

NOTE: In the process of researching the murder of Sheriff Cornelius Sage, I found conflicting information regarding Sheriff Sage’s age. The information above is pieced together from the newspaper articles listed, 1850 Federal Census (Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut), and 1864 Arizona Territory Census.