Dale F. Kearney

Image of Prohibition Agent Dale Kearney
Date of Birth: 
1900
Date of Death: 
July 6, 1930
Location of Death: 
Aguilar, CO
Image of the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms badge

Circumstances of Death

Prohibition Agent Dale Kearney was shot from ambush while walking down the street in Aguilar, CO.  His murderer was never identified.  The murder of Agent Kearney is strongly linked to the August 28, 1930, disappearance of Prohibition Agent Ray Sutton, near Raton, New Mexico, approximately 30 miles away.  Both men were considered outstanding agents and very aggressive in going after moonshiners.  A known gang was hauling moonshine between New Mexico and Colorado.  It is surmised that in both instances, since the agents could not be bribed, threatened or coerced, the gang decided to kill them.

Background

Agent Kearney joined the Bureau of Prohibition on July 1, 1929, with an annual salary of $2,300.  He carried badge #1422.

Personal

Agent Kearney was born in Bode, IA.  He was survived by his wife, Frances (née Brown); and their daughters, Kathleen and Caroline.

Associated Artifacts: 
Image of a telegram regarding the death of Dale F. Kearney
Image of the newspaper article with the headline, Slain Federal Officer Came to Trinidad Four Months Ago
Image of the newspaper article with the headline, Dale Kearney Ambushed and Killed by Unknown Gunman
Image of the newspaper article with the headline, Slain Federal Officer Came to Trinidad Four Months Ago (Full Article)
Last Reviewed September 23, 2016