05/22/2026
Each year, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office host a "TOP COP" event in which all agencies within Cochise County are invited to submit an officer from their respective department for this prestigious award.
I am excited to announce that the Tombstone Marshal's Office submitted Deputy Miriam Bear for this award. Although she was a runner up to the "TOP COP" position, we at TMO could not be prouder of her achievements over the past two years. I am including the letter written for her nomination:
"I am proud to nominate Deputy Miriam Bear for TOP COP 2026 in recognition of her exceptional investigative ability, relentless work ethic, and unwavering commitment to protecting the community.
Deputy Bear has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to take on complex, high-stakes cases and see them through with precision and determination.
On November 27, 2025, Deputy Bear responded to a report of an elderly female being abused at a residence in Tombstone. Upon arrival, she conducted a thorough and compassionate interview with the victim, who disclosed that her live-in caregivers were neglecting her basic needs, restricting her access to food despite utilizing her EBT benefits, and subjecting her to threats while she lived in fear for both her safety and the welfare of her pets. Deputy Bear’s meticulous walkthrough of the residence revealed deplorable and hazardous living conditions. Recognizing the severity of the situation, she enlisted the assistance of the Tombstone Fire Marshal, who subsequently condemned the structure as unsafe.
Through her diligent investigation, she established probable cause to arrest both caregivers. Her comprehensive casework ultimately resulted in indictments on multiple serious charges, including vulnerable adult abuse, criminal damage, neglect, endangerment, and animal cruelty.
On December 22, 2025, Deputy Bear responded to a highly sensitive case involving a victim whose former boyfriend had threatened to release a secretly recorded intimate video. Deputy Bear conducted a professional and empathetic interview while gathering critical details. Her investigative skill was further demonstrated when she facilitated a confrontational call that resulted in the suspect making incriminating statements. She acted decisively by locating and arresting the suspect, followed by a complete interview and additional witness interviews.
During the course of her investigation, she uncovered information linked to a thirty-year-old missing person case out of Colorado.
Deputy Bear’s initiative and persistence contributed to another agency locating possible human remains. She has since developed an extensive profile and timeline of the suspect and continues to assist other jurisdictions with potential related investigations. This level of dedication reflects an exceptional commitment to justice that extends well beyond her immediate assignment.
On February 8, 2026, Deputy Bear responded to a theft involving an Airbnb rental property. Through detailed evidence collection, including victim statements, rental records, and extensive video reviews, she identified the suspects and tracked their movements using multiple surveillance sources. Her investigative efforts led to the identification of a suspect through vehicle registration and database records, ultimately linking him to a residence in Tucson.
Deputy Bear secured both arrest and search warrants and, in coordination with the Tucson Police Department and additional deputies from TMO, executed those warrants and took the suspect into custody.
Her efforts resulted in the recovery of all stolen property and the discovery of additional criminal activity, including the use of stolen credit card information. Her thorough searches uncovered evidence of widespread fraud, leading her to identify and contact additional victims and expand the scope of charges. She subsequently apprehended a second suspect involved in the theft and coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to transfer the broader fraud investigation due to its multi-jurisdictional nature.
This case remains ongoing and continues to demonstrate Deputy Bear’s exceptional investigative capabilities.
Deputy Bear’s professionalism, determination, and attention to detail in each of these cases exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement. Her work has not only brought offenders to justice but has also safeguarded vulnerable individuals and contributed to investigations beyond our jurisdiction.
Deputy Bear is highly commended for her outstanding service, which brings great credit upon herself, the Tombstone Marshal’s Office, and the City of Tombstone.
It is for these reasons, and many more, that I proudly nominate Deputy Miriam Bear as the TOP COP for 2026.
Bob Randall
Tombstone Marshal"