The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid is the biography of William H. Bonney, a.k.a. "Billy the Kid," a notorious gunman of the American Old West. Author Pat F. Garrett recounts the major events in Bonney's life, detailing his first murder at age 18 as well as his death three years later at the hands of the author. Among the many colorful details of his life, Bonney was instrumental in the Lincoln County War in New Mexico where Garrett served as the sheriff. Garrett details the Kid's story in order to align his legend and true history. PAT F. GARRETT (1850-1908) is known as the man that killed Billy the Kid. He was an American Old West customs agent, bartender, and lawman.