![]() Enrique "Henry" Garfias, 1849-1896 Phoenix’s First City Marshal Buried in City/Loosley Cemetery, exact location unknown (Image - Garfias, Hi McDonald, and Billy Blankenship, courtesy of the Phoenix Police Museum) Enrique “Henry” Garfias was born on February 21, 1849, to Manuel Garfias and Luisa Avila, ranchers in Los Angeles, California. A well-educated, bilingual citizen of Mexican descent, Henry eventually decided to seek his fortune in Arizona instead of California. Between 1871 and 1874, he operated a freight-hauling enterprise between Wickenburg and Phoenix.
In 1878, Garfias ran for and was elected constable. The first major incident in which he was involved as a lawman was the apprehension of Jesus Romero, “The Saber Slasher," in 1879. Garfias and a deputy sheriff captured and returned him to Phoenix where he was jailed. Romero might have served out his sentence quietly had it not been for the murders of Luke Monihon on August 19th and popular saloonkeeper Johnny LeBar on August 21st. Incensed by the murders of two upstanding citizens in as many days, a lynch mob gathered. In spite of Garfias’ suggestion that the prisoners be moved to a secret location, vigilantes broke into the jail, shot Romero and hanged the two murderers in the Civic Plaza. After Phoenix incorporated in 1881, Garfias ran for marshal and was elected over two Anglo candidates. He served five consecutive one-year terms. The town marshal was not only the chief law enforcement officer, he was also responsible for collecting license fees and taxes, cleaning out irrigation ditches, issuing dog tags, and maintaining the streets. Garfias put prisoners in the city jail to work on street projects. Garfias soon developed a reputation for a cool head and personal courage, not to mention accuracy with his pistol. On August 2, 1882, he received news that three cowboys were “shooting up the town." He formed a posse and confronted them. When William Hardy responded by firing at him, Garfias was obliged to shoot to kill. On April 17, 1883, Enrique Garfias married Elena Redondo, daughter of a prominent family in Yuma. A daughter, Claudina, was born in 1884 and a son, Manuel, in 1887. Sadly, Elena died in 1890 following childbirth. In 1888, Garfias was employed by the city to move the bodies in the First City Cemetery to the new cemetery at 14th Avenue and Jefferson. Such was his reputation that he was elected constable again in 1892 and continued to be deputized for special assignments thereafter. In June 1891, Garfias married Dolores Ferreira, but the marriage was not a happy one. After the death of a baby son in 1893, Garfias sued for divorce. Enrique “Henry” Garfias died on May 8, 1896, from injuries sustained when his horse fell on him a few weeks earlier. He was buried in City/Loosley Cemetery, presumably near his beloved Elena and children, although no gravestone marks the spot. © 2017 by Derek Horn. Last revised 22 January 2025. If you would like assistance researching our interred, you can find more information on our website. You can contact us at [email protected] at any time. Thank you for your interest to preserve the history of Arizona's pioneers!
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