Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Cornelius Sage and two associates were shot and killed when ambushed by Yavapai Apache tribe members at Willow Springs. The three were en route from La Paz, Arizona, to Prescott, Arizona, on official business when the ambush took place.
He was previously the constable of Castle Dome from September 30th, 1864, until he became the Yuma County sheriff on January 1st, 1865. The Apaches ambushed and killed Sheriff Sage, eleven men, and four soldiers in Arizona in 1865.
Sheriff Sage was survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister. He was preceded in death by one sister.
Sheriff Sage was survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister. He was preceded in death by one sister.
Survivors
Sheriff Sage was survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-8EF26285- 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
161 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Sage served with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Yuma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Cornelius Sage 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 97,772 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 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Yuma County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cornelius Sage's cause is highlighted.
How Cornelius Sage Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cornelius Sage is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cornelius Sage was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yuma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
