Incident
Deputy Sheriff Andrew Kriss was shot and killed by a group of bandits involved in the theft of horses and livestock he had followed toward Mexico. He and a county constable had gone to a ranch in Rancho de las Viejas to round up the horses after they had been deserted. As the two drove the horses back towards town several Californios ran most of the horses off. The two lawmen tracked the thieves towards Mexico and overtook two of them who had fallen behind. As they continued towards the rest of the thieves a shootout ensued and Deputy Kriss was shot in the head and killed. Although they had been identified, the suspects were never apprehended. Deputy Kriss had served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for only a few years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-083EA642- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Kriss served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Andrew Kriss is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Diego County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Andrew Kriss's cause is highlighted.
How Andrew Kriss Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Andrew Kriss is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Andrew Kriss was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from San Diego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.







