by Hal Erickson
synopsis
In Sheriff Coffee's absence, Virginia City's mayor (Ted Knight) hires ruthlessly efficient lawman Wes Dann (Eric Fleming) as peacekeeper. At first an admirer of Dann, Joe Cartwright soon learns that the cold-blooded temporary sheriff is less interested in upholding the law than meting out his own sadistic brand of punishment. This episode marked one of the final TV appearances of former Rawhide star Eric Fleming; others in the cast include Roy Foster, Ray Stricklyn, Dee Pollack, Clyde Howdy, Grandon Rhodes, I. Stanford Jolley, and legendary serial villain Roy Barcroft. First telecast on February 6, 1966, "Peace Officer" was written by Don Mullaly.
