Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Saxerud and Deputy Sheriff William Heffernan were shot and killed by a man they had arrested for drunk driving. As they took the man into the processing area of the jail, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and shot them both, killing them almost instantly. The suspect was convicted of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms. Deputy Saxerud had served with the Island County Sheriff's Office for two months and previously served with the Laimer County (Colorado) Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-455DA6DE- 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 Saxerud gave the Island County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Coupeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Saxerud.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Robert Saxerud 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 WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Island County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Robert Saxerud's cause is highlighted.
How John Robert Saxerud Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Robert Saxerud is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Robert Saxerud was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Island County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
