Edward J. Roberts
Agency patch
Special Deputy

Edward J. Roberts

Felonious
End of Watch July 21, 1937
Age 52
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Gender Male

Incident

Special Deputy Edward Roberts was shot and killed after responding to a report of a murder at a cotton factory in Litchfield Park. An enraged former employee had just killed his ex-boss and when Deputy Roberts approached the man shot him. As Deputy Roberts lay wounded, the man took his gun and shot him again, killing him. A factory worker who witnessed the gun battle shot and killed the man. Deputy Roberts had served as a special deputy in Litchfield Park for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Roberts gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Roberts.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ
Platform Identity mcso.maricopa.az.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 21, 1937
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 52
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

VI

Where

Special Deputy Edward J. Roberts

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office · End of Watch July 21, 1937

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E

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