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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- Added to badge.nw
- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 1 officer at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1937, 1 officer in AZ was killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
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.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 52. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 47.5 and 53.5; the middle age was 51. Edward had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Edward was 52. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Edward had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
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.
Edward was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.1% of these deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 36.4%. Wednesdays: 27.3%.
July holds 11.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 39.3% of all 28 deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.9% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Kurtz Fickas
Nov 17, 1916
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Almon W. Dana Apr 9, 1922
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Robert Lee Wright Jan 29, 1930
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Edward J. Roberts
Jul 21, 1937
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Burtice W. Wickstrum
Jan 8, 1951
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Gerald Barnes
Oct 5, 1957
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Robert L. Dorn
Aug 31, 1965
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Warren LaRue
Jan 18, 1971
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Rex Atwood Stone
Jan 18, 1971
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Ralph K. Butler
Jun 12, 1972
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James L. Epp
Mar 1, 1978
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Darrell Dean McCloud
May 13, 1985
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Vernon P. Marconnet
Jun 30, 1988
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Patrick Joseph Riley
Mar 11, 1994
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Edwardo M. Gonzales
Aug 28, 1995
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Kenneth Ray Blair
Sep 28, 1995
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Gary Frederick Labenz
Oct 10, 2005
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William Hauley Coleman
Jan 8, 2012
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David William Wargo, Jr.
May 1, 2012
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Gene Wade Lee
Oct 30, 2019
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Ernest Quintero
Jul 6, 2020
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Kevin Joseph Fletcher
Jul 6, 2020
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Miroslaw Mroczkowski
Jul 15, 2020
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Alicia Dawn Carter
Aug 9, 2021
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Kendall Leroy Thomas
Sep 10, 2021
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Juan Miguel Ruiz
Oct 11, 2021
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Chad Owen Brackman
Nov 10, 2021
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Shawn A. Braaten
Dec 16, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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