Roll of Honor
John Louis Colvig
Incident
Chief of Police John Colvig was shot and killed when he and several other officers were attacked by a group of Apache warriors and scouts who had deserted from the United States Cavalry. The group of 60 warriors had been attacking villages and camps along the trail to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. They encountered Chief Colvig on the Globe Road approximately 10 miles west of San Carlos while he was handing out ration tickets with three other officers. The officers were attacked by the group and Chief Colvig and the other officers were shot and killed. The group continued to flee but were pursued by troops from Fort McDowell and Camp Verde. When the troops located the men a shootout, later named "Battle of Big Dry Wash", ensued in which 22 Apaches including their leader were killed. One soldier was killed. The surviving apaches fled back to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This was the last major battle between the U.S. Army and the Apaches in Arizona, although there would be many minor battles for years to come. Chief Colvig took the place of Chief Albert D. Sterling who was killed by Apaches ten weeks earlier.
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BO-US-SCA-TR-1A2A6D5E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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Chief of Police Colvig served with the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Carlos community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John Louis Colvig 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 San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Louis Colvig's cause is highlighted.
How John Louis Colvig Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Louis Colvig is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Louis Colvig was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
