# John Behan — Tombstone character guide

> John Behan in Tombstone by Walter Noble Burns.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sheriff Behan, Johnny Behan

**First appearance:** 0002-tombstone

## Snapshot

Cochise County's bustling, self-important sheriff, forever at odds with the Earps and never quite master of the outlaw currents running through his own town.

## Who they are

Behan moves along Allen Street with official weight, saluting the Clantons and McLowerys as neighbors while the Earps watch him with suspicion. His authority is real but porous, and the men he is meant to police ride in and out of Tombstone with impunity. As the Earp-Clanton feud sharpens, his loyalties and his usefulness become one of the town's most contested questions.

## In the story

### [II: Red Lights and Altar Candles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/ii-red-lights-and-altar-candles)

His newspaper, the Nugget, was the political organ of his faction, opposed to the Epitaph.

### [III: Glad Hand and Trigger Finger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/iii-glad-hand-and-trigger-finger)

Sheriff of Tombstone, depicted as friendly and political, in contrast to Wyatt Earp's grimness; the feud between them is central.

### [Billy Breakenridge Makes Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/vii-billy-breakenridge-makes-good)

Sheriff who sends Breakenridge to collect taxes in the San Simon.

### [IX: Ringo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/ix-ringo)

Sheriff who disarms Ringo after the duel attempt, ordering him to give up his guns.

### [On the Benson Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/xi-on-the-benson-road)

Sheriff who led the posse in pursuit of the highwaymen.

### [Flashes of Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/xii-flashes-of-storm)

Sheriff who served a subpoena on Ike Clanton and commanded the posse; his actions are scrutinized in the chapter.

### [XIV: The Red Road of Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/xiv-the-red-road-of-vengeance)

Attempts to arrest Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday for Stilwell's murder but is defied.

### [Sunshine and Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/chapters/xxii-sunshine-and-peace)

Mentioned as having known the old business section; later became superintendent of Yuma prison and died in Tucson in 1912.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/characters/sheriff_john_behan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tombstone_se/characters