Sheriff Lewis M. Kreeger, C.C. Murray (Jailer) holds my grandmother Phoebe Belle Kreeger, William Squire
(known at Squick)(Deputy Sheriff) & Officer Kreeger’s son, K.E. Kross (Deputy Sheriff),
Harry Lewis (Jailer) and O.T. Clark (Under Sheriff)
the bad and the ugly made their
presence. One cannot refute that
those that were fine hardworking
citizens of Trinidad would find the
jail accommodations to fall short of
the comforts of home.
The Wild West days of the
Southwest saw plenty of
hot flying lead, and law
enforcement officers were
prepared for the ever unexpected. The six shooter
would be used in selfdefense, and the best
of lawmen made every
shot count. Officer Kreeger was
no exception to the rule as he was
fired upon many times during his 40
plus years while wearing a badge.
Officer Kreeger, a very lucky law
enforcement officer for during his
career he never became the recipient
to hot flying lead. The same could
not be said for those that confronted
him, as they were not quite that
lucky. Officer Kreeger during his
law enforcement career, became
known as a fine marksman and a
man-hunter.
Law enforcement officers wore
a 5 pointed star badge during the
44
N
Wild West days of the 1800s. The
time for many would be short
lived as law enforcement was
un-doubtfully a most dangerous
profession. Confronting whiskey
crazy cowboys, gamblers, and
outlaws was far from being
considered fun. Officer Kreeger
for over 40 years
wore many badges
in Trinidad. His
first badge would be
as a Constable, then
a City Marshal, a
Sheriff, an Under
Sheriff, and a Deputy
Sheriff. The 5 star badges worn
by Officer Kreeger represented
one of the finest lawman in the
west. Officer Kreeger committed
his life to upholding law and order.
For the good of Trinidad and the
surrounding community, he rose
above the rest to bring law and
justice to an early settlement, when
law and justice were challenged
every step of the way.
The book, Lead in
Trinidad is a biography
about a legendary lawman
that served during the Wild
West days in the Southwest
territory of the Americas.
To find out more about
Lead in Trinidad, visit
LeadinTrinidad.com or scan
the QR code below
Article written by: Robert (Bob)
A. Silva, great grandson of Officer
Lewis M. Kreeger 11/29/15
New legends magazine