Bonanza (1959)

Episode Overview

Title: Peace Officer Plot: While Sheriff Coffee is away in Saint Louis, the Morrisey gang unleashes chaos by vandalizing the local saloon. When Deputy Bill Harris attempts to intervene, they strike him with a whiskey bottle, resulting in his accidental death. The gang escapes, leaving Cliff behind to face capture. He remains tight-lipped about his accomplices. In response, Mayor Garrett convenes an urgent town council meeting. They appoint the no-nonsense lawman Wes Dunn as acting sheriff, who is intent on restoring peace. He brutally interrogates Cliff for information, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Hoss encounters an injured gang member, Chuck, and during a struggle, is shot. Joe teams up with Dunn to track down the rest of the gang, initially viewing Dunn as a savior until he witnesses him execute a suspect without mercy.