 During the earliest days of Placer County’s history, crime was a constant threat. Just as some people were successfully building their wealth, desperation and opportunity led others to explore alternative ways of making money. Highway robbers plagued wagons maneuvering throughout remote, switchback roads while burglars preyed upon miners and storekeepers.
The presence and skill of dedicated Placer County law enforcement officers were essential in tracking down and arresting alleged criminals to face justice.
Sheriff John C. Boggs occupies an interesting and important role in Placer County’s history. He left Pennsylvania for California in February 1849 and traveled by ship around the Horn of South America. Boggs landed in San Francisco and was in Wood’s Dry Diggings (Auburn) by late September 1849.
A man of many hats and enterprises, it is his time as sheriff of Placer County in 1859 that secured Boggs into the realm of legend. At the time, he was on the hunt for a notorious outlaw who went by the name of Rattlesnake Dick.
Dick’s real name was Richard Barter, who mined at Rattlesnake Bar in 1854, where he was arrested and tried on the charge of stealing clothing from a store, but was found not guilty. Just a few months later, he was tried and convicted of stealing a horse and sent to San Quentin for one year. Upon his release, Barter adopted the alias of Rattlesnake Dick and developed a reputation throughout Northern California for daring robberies and successful jailbreaks. During that time, Boggs became his nemesis.
On July 11, 1859, Barter was spotted riding near Auburn with a companion. Boggs and his deputies split up, hoping to catch the famed criminal. This led to a shootout that left Deputy Sheriff William Crutcher and Under Sheriff George Johnson shot and injured, while Deputy Tax Collector George Martin was killed. Dick was shot but rode away and Boggs, who was on the other side of town, missed the fray.
However, the following morning, Rattlesnake Dick was found dead and holding a note with the words scrawled on it, “Rattlesnake Dick dies, but never surrenders, as all true Brittons do. If J. Boggs is dead I am satisfied.” Or at least that is what was printed in the Placer Herald newspaper.
Today, Martin Park Fire Station marks the site of the deadly shootout and a plaque in the Raley’s parking lot by the Foresthill Road stands where Rattlesnake Dick took his final breath. He was buried in Auburn’s East Street Cemetery in a $10 coffin, and reportedly moved to the Auburn City Cemetery in the 1890s.
Meanwhile, John C. Boggs went on to become the Newcastle postmaster for several years and died in 1909. His photograph and biography were placed into a copper box under the cornerstone of the Placer County Courthouse when it was dedicated in 1894.
Explore our new interactive timeline — updated every Thursday with photographs, milestones and the stories of people who built this county. Explore timeline
 To date, the Placer County Conservation Program has conserved more than 9,000 acres of important habitats in West Placer County. The PCCP will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Earth Day, April 22. We are committed to conserving open spaces and clean air and water for our future generations.
Learn more about the PCCP’s mission on Instagram, including recent posts with fun facts and information about vernal pool fairy shrimp, bird nesting season, invasive plants and recent land acquisitions.
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
 Earth Day is a good reminder that Placer County is worth protecting — and worth getting out and enjoying. Do your part at home with tips, resources and recycling information at Placer Recycles. Then get outside and discover a park, trail or open space that reminds you exactly why it matters.
Two great community events are happening this week — stop by and show some love.
🚗 Placer County Air Pollution Control District — Earth Day Ride and Drive, April 23 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Sierra College, Parking Lot E, Rocklin Learn more
🌲 Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival at Palisades Tahoe, April 25 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Placer County Environmental Utilities will be there Learn more
Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market, Sutter Roseville Farmers Market, Earth Night Event
Rocklin: 26 Parks in 2026, Evenings In The Park
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market,
Loomis: Fire-Smart Expo & Garden
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Apple Blossom Bazaar, Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB
Colfax: Sierra Vista Community Center Flea Market
North Lake Tahoe: Throwback Thursdays, Line Dancing Fridays, Tahoe City Earth Day Cleanup
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
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