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Russell Dean Roberts
Incident
Deputy Russell Roberts was struck by a vehicle and killed while investigating an earlier accident on River Road in Needles. He had positioned his car away from a curve in the road so that it could be seen from both directions. He was approximately 100 yards from his vehicle, on the opposite side of the road, when another vehicle entered the curve and lost control. The car struck Deputy Roberts, causing fatal injuries. Deputy Roberts had served with the agency for only 6 months and had previously served with the Needles Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Roberts gave the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bernardino community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Russell is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Russell is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Russell is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 1 officer at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2005, with 2.
In 1995, 6 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1995, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1995, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Russell was 29. Of the 8 lost to accidents at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 36.8; the middle age was 33.5. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Russell was 29. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Russell was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 25% of these deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 25%.
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 44.4% of all 18 deaths at San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
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William Francis Smithson
Oct 20, 1907
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William Jackson Litz
May 23, 1959
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Donald Archibald Mason
Dec 23, 1959
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Billie Rose Heckle
Feb 15, 1960
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Alfred Elder Stewart
Mar 9, 1973
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Frank Marion Pribble
Jul 6, 1975
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Clifford Ernest Sanchez
Apr 6, 1985
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Donald James DeMeulle
Jul 31, 1986
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Keith B. Farley
Apr 12, 1987
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Russell Dean Roberts
Sep 16, 1995
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Ronald Wayne Ives
Sep 1, 2004
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Gregory Alan Gariepy
Jun 22, 2005
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Daniel Jess Lobo, Jr.
Oct 11, 2005
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Jeremiah Alan MacKay
Feb 12, 2013
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Dominic David Vaca
May 31, 2021
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Armando Cantu, Jr.
Nov 18, 2021
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Hector Cuevas, Jr.
Mar 17, 2025
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Andrew Nuñez
Oct 27, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
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