Flashback - 1982 - 2 die in Miracle Valley battle - Long expected, the shooting finally comes

[Ptah]

1. Deputies relive shootout at Miracle Valley

Feb 19, 2009 7:28 PM

The day will be remembered in infamy for many of Southern Arizonans
especially for those involved.

Larry dever quickly recalled the day on the calender that jumps out at him,
"Oct. 23, 1982," he said. "If i happen to forget, someone calls me on that day."

Dever is the sheriff of Cochise County now but, nearly 27 years ago, he was
a young deputy caught in a crossfire.

"Looking back, there are lessons learned, " Dever said. "When we went there
I realize we shouldn't have gone so deep into their compound but at the time
you're thinking 'is this really happening?"

<snip>

On that dark day in October, two members of the church were killed, so was a deputy.
Dever was one of seven injured with a gun shot wound to the face. "Looking back,
we should have shot the first guy that came out with a 30-30 shotgun," Dever said.
"We let him shout and point the gun at us and that just impowered them...
Noone wanted to be the flashpoint to set off a shootout."

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/global/story.asp?S=9801248