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James Joseph Slater
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James Slater was killed in an automobile crash while en route to back up a fellow officer who was following a stolen vehicle at 2:27 a.m.
A citizen called 911 and reported a patrol vehicle in the ditch and the deputy unconscious on Sout Grove Road. It is believed that Deputy Slater started sliding on a corner and overcorrected, causing him to hit a utility pole that flipped the patrol car four times.
Deputy Slater was flown to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Deputy Slater was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Spokane County Sheriff's Department for 2.5 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife 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. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. James 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 Slater gave the Spokane County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Thank you 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
James Joseph Slater served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Spokane County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 2 officers in WA were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 41. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. James had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 41. 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. James had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 41. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 5.4% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Fridays: 18%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Spokane County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Spokane County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, James among them.
Military Service
James Joseph Slater served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Joseph Slater’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 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Spokane County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
