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Douglas B. Miller
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Douglas Miller was shot and killed after responding to a call of an emotionally disturbed person at approximately 9 p.m. Deputy Miller and three other deputies responded to the scene. When they attempted to take the subject into custody, a struggle ensued. The man was able to gain control of Deputy Miller's weapon and fatally shot him. He then wounded two other deputies before the fourth deputy was able to get a hand free from the struggle, draw his own weapon, and kill the suspect. Deputy Miller was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He was survived by his parents. The Douglas B. Miller Memorial Point in the County of Santa Clara was named in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Douglas is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Miller gave the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Douglas B. Miller served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Douglas is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Douglas 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 1986, 1 officer at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1986, 7 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Douglas was 35. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 48.8; the middle age was 40.5. Douglas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Douglas was 35. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Douglas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Douglas was 35. 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. Douglas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Douglas was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Douglas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 20%. Mondays: 20%.
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6% 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
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Douglas among them.
Military Service
Douglas B. Miller served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Douglas B. Miller’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
