Joe Staples was the first Deputy Sheriff to die in the line of duty in El Dorado County. He was shot trying to apprehend bandits who had robbed the Pioneer Stage Line traveling with their shipment of silver bars from Virginia City to Placerville. Deputy Staples died later that day, July 1st, 1864. The robbery became known as the Bullion Bend Robbery.
According to the local paper’s obituary – Joe Staples was buried the next day, July 2nd, 1864, at the Placerville Union Cemetery. The funeral service was well attended by residents of Placerville and Coloma, members of the fire department, county officials, friends of the deceased, and a “large number of ladies”.