MCDONALD, Ralph Lawrence

Arizona Republic (Phoenix AZ) Wednesday, February 9, 1949, p 6 Long-Time Tempe Peace Officer Dies Mesa, Feb. 8--Ralph L. McDonald, justice of the peace of Tempe, died Monday night in Southside District Hospital here after an illness of several months. He was 56 years old and had worked as recently as last week. Born April 2, 1892, in Tempe of pioneer parents, McDonald served most of his life as a colorful law enforcement officer there. He formerly was town marshal and constable and was active in community affairs. He was a Maricopa county sheriff's deputy and served overseas in World War 1. He was a member of William Bloys Post, American Legion, and the Tempe Church of Christ. One of the high spots of his career was the capture of the Lawrence brothers when he was town marshal in 1925. McDonald routed the brothers, charged with slaying Phoenix policeman Haze Burch, from their hideout on Tempe Butte. He is survived by his wife, Bessie; sons Jack and Lawrence, daughters Mrs. Lila Mae Friestad and Mrs. Betty Stewart, his mother, Mrs. Zora McDonald, all of Tempe, one brother and five grandchildren. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Arizona Republic (Phoenix AZ) Thursday, February 10. 1949, p 14 Ralph L. McDonald Services Are Due Tempe, Feb. 9--Funeral services for Ralph L. McDonald, 56-year-old Tempe peace justice who died Monday night in a Mesa hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from the Carr Mortuary Chapel. Services will be conducted by John T. Overbey, evangelist of the Church of Christ. Interment will be in Double Butte Cemetery.