High Sheriff Ed Bates dead at 99

Courtesy of Karl Raschdorf

Bates and wife Freda.

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Unorthodox, ‘Wild-West’ lawman wears a new badge

The inimitable Ed Bates, Madera County’s three-term sheriff, passed away in his sleep May 1, at his home in Clovis. 

The local lawman whose image made the front page of newspapers all over the world is considered a centerpiece of Madera County history.

It was in 1970 that Bates decided to make his first run for sheriff. Marlin Young had resigned the sheriff’s post. and was temporarily replaced by Acting Sheriff James Haney, who decided not to make a run of his own. Three Maderans announced their intentions to replace Young and Bates made it four.