None was bigger than Bob Paul.
No lawman in the Old West was taller than Bob Paul. He stood 6’6″ and weighed 246, broad shoulders and massive chest. Wyatt Earp held him in the highest esteem, saying, “As fearless a man as I ever knew.” Paul was a peace officer for 30 years.
He came to Arizona in 1880 and ran for sheriff of Pima County against the Cow-boy’s puppet, incumbent Charlie Shibell. Paul was favored to win in a landslide—but when the votes came in, Shibell won by 42 votes. Paul charged fraud. After various machinations, Paul was declared the winner.