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Robert William Varner Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Varner was shot and killed after stopping a stolen vehicle with stolen tags on I-40. When the vehicle stopped, the passenger exited the car and opened fire with a submachine gun, striking Deputy Varner several times. The suspects split up, and the shooter committed suicide before officers could apprehend him. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended and sentenced to thirteen years. Deputy Varner had been a member of the Navajo County Sheriff's Department for one year after retiring from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with 24 years of service.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Robert 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 Varner gave the Navajo County Sheriff's Office 26 years.
Thank you for your service to the Holbrook 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
Robert William Varner Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1955â1959) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Navajo County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert 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 1989, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 51. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 51. 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. Robert had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 51. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Mondays: 15.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Navajo County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 17.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Navajo County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Military Service
Robert William Varner Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1955–1959) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert William Varner Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Navajo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
