TOMBSTONE, Ariz. - Jan. 14, 2019 - s4story -- Enrique Garfias, first city marshal of Phoenix, won high praise during his many years as a frontier law man. Now, the first book-length rendering of his life and career has been recognized as the "Best Arizona Biography" in this year's Arizona-New Mexico Book Awards.

         The competition, which this year saw 1,089 entries, is sponsored by the New Mexico Book Co-op. Sometimes overshadowed by better-known law men, Garfias in his time was known throughout the territory and widely respected by both the Hispanic and Anglo communities for his even-handedness.

         The369-page illustrated biography, Dogged Pursuit: Tracking the Life of Enrique Garfias, First City Marshal of Phoenix, Arizona, was authored by Jeffrey Richardson of Bend, Oregon. It was published by Goose Flats Publishing of Tombstone, Arizona.

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         "I was drawn to Garfias from the moment I heard about him," says Richardson, a retired journalist. "I felt strongly that his professional accomplishments, virtually forgotten today, deserved serious treatment and greater visibility. And, research revealed that his origins and personal life were pretty compelling, too."

         Richardson noted that publishing is a collaborative effort and voiced his appreciation for the way Goose Flats handled the project. "They took the subject seriously. We were a team in bringing this story to light," Richardson said.

         Publisher Keith Davis agreed, explaining that the unique challenges of putting out books in the digital age make awards like this especially meaningful to small, independent presses.

         "We're very pleased to have one of the books in our catalog recognized in this way. It certainly helps validate our thinking that Arizona history matters and merits our efforts to connect with readers who are looking for quality material," Davis said.

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         Garfias was born in southern California to a wealthy Mexican ranch family, arriving in Arizona in the 1870s. When Phoenix incorporated, he was elected city marshal for five consecutive terms. He also served as constable and deputy sheriff of Maricopa County. Garfias was widely recognized throughout Arizona Territory for his determined pursuit of fugitives, for raw courage and for being a crack shot. He was a strong advocate for the rule of law, and the fair administration of justice.

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For more information, interviews or review copies, contact the  publisher https://gooseflats.com/jeffrey-richardson/.