James Michael Young
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

James Michael Young

Felonious
End of Watch May 25, 1983
Age 39
Tour of Duty 8 yrs 5 mo
Badge 129
The Vigil Panel 127 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Mike Young was shot and killed while he and two other officers served an arrest warrant in Fredonia, Arizona at 11:50 am. The officers entered the home and proceeded down a hallway when the suspect came out of a room and exchanged shots with the officers. Twelve shots were fired; Deputy Young was shot four times, and he returned fire and was able to hit the suspect four times. Another deputy was wounded but survived. Both Deputy Young and the suspect died at the scene. Deputy Young had served with the Coconino County Sheriff's Department for over a year and previously served with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, the Coolidge (Arizona) Police Department for three years, and the Yavapai County (Arizona) Sheriff's Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters from a previous marriage, his father, sister, and four brothers. The fire department in Black Canyon City, Arizona, was named The Mike Young Memorial Fire Department after Deputy Young was killed.

Survivors

Survivors. Hopefully this 106 yr old rifle can be raffled to raise money to support all the families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. To you, Nancy, your family, Jeff Moritz (Flag PD, EOW JUNE 2020), my deepest respect and honor to have known you!

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-18524B81
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Young gave the Coconino County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Flagstaff community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Young.

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

Agency

Location Flagstaff, AZ
Platform Identity ccso.coconino.az.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 25, 1983
Tour of Duty 8 yrs 5 mo
Age 39
Badge Number 129
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff James Michael Young is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Coconino County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Coconino County Sheriff's Department
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
AZ — Statewide
204
of 330 officers
61.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Michael Young's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How James Michael Young Compares

Age at End of Watch
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8.4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Michael Young is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Michael Young was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Coconino County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.