Tombstone, AZ — February 26, 2025
On Wednesday, Tombstone Mayor Dustin Escapule issued a statement confirming that his office, in conjunction with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, formally requested an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for possible misconduct involving the Tombstone Marshals Office. Former Marshal Jim Adams has since released a statement after his resignation.
From Tombstone Mayor Dustin Escapule:
“On Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, I received information regarding possible misconduct involving the Tombstone Marshal's Office. I promptly contacted Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels to report the matter. Following consultation, Sheriff Dannels and his team recommended that the issues be referred to the Arizona Attorney General's Office for a comprehensive investigation. Subsequently, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office formally requested the Arizona Attorney General's Office to conduct this investigation.
To ensure the integrity of the investigation, City Hall will refrain from commenting until the investigation is concluded. The City of Tombstone remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and accountability and will disclose the findings upon the investigation's completion.
Throughout this process, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office will provide leadership and support to the Tombstone Marshal's Office. Commander Robert Watkins of the C.C.S.O. will serve as interim
Tombstone Marshal during this period. Both agencies are dedicated to delivering equitable and unbiased services to the residents of Tombstone.
For any inquiries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact City Hall or Commander Robert Watkins.“
From Jim Adams:
“The well investigated report into the biting of one of my deputies was completed by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and I circulated a press release regarding it on February 3rd.
I tendered my resignation to Mayor Escapule on February 10th, not wanting to do so during the course of an active investigation and give any presumption that I was leaving in lieu of it or because of it. We had a heartwarming conversation of mutual respect, and I carefully articulated my reasons for leaving Tombstone. What I will say here is that small towns everywhere are fraught with rumors and gossip fabricated and spread by people with malicious intent. When others repeat these stories without discernment, these rumors have a way of becoming the prevailing version of a distorted reality and people get hurt directly because it involves them, or indirectly because it is inclusive of people they know. These matters began to impact my health and my peace. I very much look forward to restoring those in my move to the Benson Police Department and serving the community there with passion, grace, and goodwill. I have a tremendous amount of admiration for the leadership team there and their values.
My wife and I then departed for a long-planned and much-needed vacation to celebrate our anniversary and collective birthdays. When I returned to work on Tuesday, February 25th, I was called to an 8am meeting where I learned of the impending investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. Understanding the depth and breadth of the inquiry, I wish to make it abundantly clear that I support a comprehensive investigation by this objective third party and concur with the decision that was made to embark upon it.
If anyone accused has made errors in judgement or worse, they should own their misgivings, be held accountable, and learn from the experience. If we cannot police our own, we cannot effectively police others. Period.
Some of the allegations being addressed are simply outrageous.,,and I’m happy they are being examined for what they are. Anyone accused of these has every right to be fully exonerated and the gossip officially put to rest.
The people who with ill-intent fabricated and spread false rumors will hopefully be cast into the light and duly punished by the authorities for what they have wrought upon the innocent. You know who you are. Your words disbursed carelessly and callously have hurt so many and destroyed so much. My hope is that my leaving serves as a catalyst for change in the hearts and minds of those who call Tombstone their home.“ -Jim Adams
This latest investigation comes after a Tombstone Deupty Marshal was cleared from any wrongdoing from a use of force incident where a K9 was shot and killed inside the Marshals Office building.
Information from the incident:
On November 19, 2024, at approximately 0506 hours, Tombstone Marshal’s Office Deputy John Coby was the victim of an unprovoked attack by his certified drug detection K9, a Belgium Malinois named Hawk. The attack occurred upstairs in the Marshal’s Office. The dog had not been placed on a leash yet and no corrections were being given that might have prompted the attack. After a prolonged struggle with Hawk that failed to compel a release of the bite, Deputy Coby found no choice but to shoot the dog, killing it in the process. The dog was still clamped to his leg when help arrived several minutes later and had to be forced off.
Deputy Coby has been employed with the Marshal’s office since 2023 but had a break in service due to a military deployment to Jordan. Prior to that, he had 12 years as a Maryland State Trooper before returning to the U.S. Army and was then hired by the Marshal’s Office. He and Hawk had just certified on drug detection the evening before and had been together as a team for about two weeks. By all reports, they had developed a strong bond for each other.
To deconflict from handling our own Officer Involved Shooting, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate the incident. Upon completion, the report was reviewed by the Sierra Vista Police Department and was then sent to the Cochise County Attorney’s Office for a final opinion.
The investigation revealed that Hawk had previously been assigned to the US Border Patrol as a drug detection K9 and had committed several prior unprovoked attacks on handlers with at least one requiring hospitalization and surgery (June 4, 2024). Hawk was then released to a third-party vendor, who was reportedly told about the dog’s history. That vendor thentransferred Hawk to KnightWatch K9 and reportedly failed to disclose those facts, hence, our office was equally not aware of them when the dog came to us.
A Necropsy was conducted, and a toxicology test was completed. Neither of these revealed anything that might have preempted the attack. A veterinarian who treated and tested Hawk following the attack on the BP handler concluded “an assumed acquired behavior disorder diagnosis” might be warranted, if the pain medications Hawk was given for a possible injury they thought he might have at the time failed to mitigate the issue.
The Detective from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office issued the following Conclusion of Facts:
- “There is nothing in this investigation that indicates to me John was abusive toward Hawk or premeditated his death.”
- “There is nothing that indicates John intentionally provoked Hawk to attack him.”
- “John Coby II was justified in using deadly physical force against Hawk as it was immediately necessary to protect himself against Hawk’s attack.”
The County Attorney’s Office concurred with the findings, citing that “The shooting of K9 Officer Hawk by Deputy Marshal Coby appears to be entirely justified” and that “Felony prosecution is declined.”
Deputy Coby has returned to light duty and is still participating in physical therapy. We hope for and expect a full recovery soon.
We are grateful for the professional diligence of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office in conducting a comprehensive and objective investigation, and to the Sierra Vista Police Department and Cochise County Attorney’s Office for their review of the facts.
The Tombstone Marshal’s Office loves and appreciates our K9 partners, not only because of the incredible work they do to keep illicit drugs off our streets, but because they are valued members of our Law Enforcement family. Hawk’s ashes have been returned to the Marshal’s Office for internment here.
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