Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Price was stabbed in the throat after a prisoner overpowered him at Dunnigan's Gap, approximately five miles west of Centerville. He had arrested the prisoner for stealing a buggy and a horse and had arrested him near Squaw Valley, California. During the arrest, the suspect attempted to shoot Deputy Price but his gun misfired several times and he was taken into custody. Because Deputy Price had no handcuffs he used rope to restrain the suspect. During the ride back to town the suspect complained that he was hungry so they stopped to eat. When they were finished and began heading back to town Deputy Price did not restrain the suspect again. Deputy Price's body was found with a stab wound in the neck a short time later. The suspect fled the scene and was never apprehended. The suspect was also the prime suspect in the murder of Officer Harry Van Meter, of the Fresno Police Department, three weeks earlier. Deputy Price had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for two months and had served in law enforcement for four years. He was killed on this 32nd birthday.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8B0F6BB5- 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 Price gave the Fresno County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Price.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joe Dodd Price 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 97,775 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 Fresno County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe Dodd Price's cause is highlighted.
How Joe Dodd Price Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Dodd Price is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe Dodd Price was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
