When Sheriff Boyd Matheson arrests Russ Cavanaugh for murdering a man during a bank robbery, he puts himself and the town of Gradyville in a treacherous position. Russ’s father, the infamous Judge Cavanaugh, orders his band of thugs to start killing innocent townspeople.

A man of huge political ambitions, Judge Cavanaugh soon manages to persuade many people that Matheson is behind the lawlessness that is ravaging the town. Matheson must stop the man who aims both to have a murderer released and to bring his murderous ways to the office of the Governor of Arizona.

But Matheson’s time is short. Once a heavy smoker, he has given up tobacco too late. As the sheriff trains his deputy to take his place, he must also mask the affection he has for a young woman who is determined to move closer to him.