Albert D. Sterling

San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department — San Carlos, AZ

Felonious

End of Watch April 19, 1882

Age 29

The Vigil Panel 7 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Chief of Police Albert Sterling and Sergeant Sagotal were killed by a group of Indians, including Geronimo, who were coming to raid the town of San Carlos, Arizona. Chief Sterling and Sergeant Sagotal rode out to intercept them at their camp near the confluence of the San Carlos River and Gila River. The group shot both officers, killing Chief Sterling and wounding Sergeant Sagotal. Despite his wounds, Sergeant Sagotal rode back to town, organized a posse, and returned to the area. Upon their return, Sergeant Sagotal was fatally wounded. Chief Sterling was killed first and the guide later. The group of Indians, numbering over 100, murdered over 50 people as they made their way to Mexico. They were attacked by both United States and Mexican troopers in which over 90 warriors were killed and over 30 women and children were captured.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Sterling served with the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Carlos community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department

Type Police Department

Location San Carlos, AZ

Platform Identity scatpd.sca.tribal.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 19, 1882

Age 29

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Chief of Police Albert D. Sterling is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.

In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

AZ — Statewide

204

of 330 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,587 officers

53.9% Felonious