Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Jason Lopez was shot and killed near Casa Grande, Arizona when he attempted to serve a warrant.
During the encounter, the suspect began resisting, pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, shot Deputy Lopez once in the throat, and fled. Deputy Lopez was able to crawl back to his patrol car and attempted to radio for help. Responding officers became involved in a running gunfight with the suspect, who was wounded once before taking a hostage in a nearby residence. The hostage was able to escape after several hours, and the suspect surrendered nine hours later.
The suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder on October 8, 2003. The jury was not able to decide on the death penalty, and a second jury had to be convened to decide the sentencing. That jury also was not able to decide on whether to sentence the suspect to death or 25 years to life in prison.
Deputy Lopez had served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and had been a deputy for 18 months. He is survived by his wife, a 3-year-old son, and a one-month-old child. Both of his parents are also employees of the sheriff's department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, a 3-year-old son, and a one-month-old child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-9C5722B5- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Lopez gave the Pinal County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lopez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jason Patrick Lopez 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 Pinal County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jason Patrick Lopez's cause is highlighted.
How Jason Patrick Lopez Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jason Patrick Lopez is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jason Patrick Lopez was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
