Imperial Valley press., 1929-03-23
MEX|CANS
SHOT BY
OFFICER
One Dead, One Dying AS
Result of Early Morning &
Battle.
ATKINSON PRAISED
Policeman Unhurt, Re
turns Fire With Deadly
Effect.

Quick and accurate action on the
trigger and GOODNESS under fire early
this morning, saved the life of
Holtvlic police officer but resulted
IN the death of one man .nd per
haps the fatal wounding of another,
according TO the report of Tom
Sharp, deputy sheriff, who invcstl,
gated the affair today.
Procopo BucIna of Holtville is
dead and Jose Diaz is dyino at the
Imperial County hospital because
they chose to shoot it out with Bill
Atkinson, night officer of IIoltvillc
early this morning.
Buclna died on the operating
table of the FL Centre hospital at
10 O'Clock.
The MeNicans were sought by the
officer on reported holdup charge
and when cornercd at their home
opened fire. Atkinson returned the
shots and drove two bullets through
the chest of Diaz and another two
through Buclna 5 stomach.
Atkinson showed great bravery
in dueling with the McXicans and
perhaps not only saved his own life
but that of his companions.
Investigation by Sharp and De.
putty District Attorney Smith who
questioned an alleged third member
of the bandit trio and the quartet
of holdup victims brought out the
following facts:
In Poker Game
Four white men of Holtvillc, Al
Warner, Warner Williams, Charles
Eimcrle and George Brumbaugh
were engaged in a poker game in n
house Just outside of the Holtril,c
,ity limits last night. Three McXi
sans were also in the game, the
Two who were shot and Rudolph
Martinez.
During the poker session the
MeXicans were losing and they left
the table several times to get more
money. Buelna finally arose for
the third time and as he left the
house Diaz is said to have also
risen and pulled gun ordering the
men to raise their hands.
Diaz is then reported to have or
dcred MARTINEZ to search the pockets
of the four Nhitc men and to put
the money on the table. While the
search was going on Bucna return
ed and stood with his hand in his
blouse as if holding a gun.
After robbing the poker party
Diaz and Buclna are said to have
forced MARTINEZ to accompany them
outside and the trio drove away IN
their ear.
The remaining victims immediate
!, drove irto Iloltvillc and port.
cd the holdur to Atkin; IN. }nc
five, in Atkinson S ear dro>. t. tn
home OF Tie Ma>;cans AMI Is they
arrived were o'rfronted VIII the
tandts A chase around the house
result E. The officer fin, y c'r
nerei the two Y, v,unded M. Mar
tinez hi my ! chin box.
The gur battle cnsued, according
:. Shares report and Lemo2; am
tulance took the wounded ncn to
the Imperial County hospital. An
emergency operation was perform
ed later at the FL Centre hospital
ON Buclna, but to no avail.
The guns of the Mcxicans wcr"
found beside their bodies. That Of
Diaz showed all six shots fired
while Buema IS showed one shot fir
ed and two miss firing.
The four victims of the holdup
and MARTINEZ were confined in the
county Jail Immediately after the
fray and were questioned. The
four white men were later released
under their own recognizance to ap'
pear at an inquest to be held Mon
day morning. MARTINEZ was con
fined as a material witness and held
for investigation.
Atkinson will also appear at the
inquest over Buelna.
Late reports from the county hos
pital were to the effect that Diaz
has little chance to live.