Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Clifford Sanchez was shot and killed by a robbery suspect in the parking lot of a cocktail lounge on North Sierra Way. Deputy Sanchez was with a friend when two men robbed him. They shot him when they opened his wallet and saw his badge, then stole his gun. One suspect, 18, was were later apprehended. Two months later a inmate, 21, at Chino Prison was charged with murder. He was sent to prison two weeks after the shooting for violating his parole. In April of 1986 the 18-year-old was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. A month later the other suspect was sentenced to 27 years to life. Deputy Sanchez had served with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for 4 years and had previously served with the United States Navy during the early to mid-1970's aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. He is survived by his three sons and his parents. His father was a 18 year veteran with the California Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He is survived by his three sons and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-42C18417- Stewardship
- 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 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 Sanchez gave the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bernardino 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
Clifford E. Sanchez served in the U.S. Navy (1973â1977) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Clifford E. Sanchez 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 97,759 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 Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, 8 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifford E. Sanchez's cause is highlighted.
How Clifford E. Sanchez Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifford E. Sanchez is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifford E. Sanchez was killed by handgun.
Military Service
Clifford E. Sanchez served in the U.S. Navy (1973–1977) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Clifford E. Sanchez’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
