Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Varner was shot and killed after stopping a stolen vehicle with stolen tags on I-40. When the vehicle stopped, the passenger exited the car and opened fire with a submachine gun, striking Deputy Varner several times. The suspects split up, and the shooter committed suicide before officers could apprehend him. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended and sentenced to thirteen years. Deputy Varner had been a member of the Navajo County Sheriff's Department for one year after retiring from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with 24 years of service.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-64C75B19- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Robert is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Varner gave the Navajo County Sheriff's Office 26 years.
Thank you for your service to the Holbrook community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert William Varner Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1955â1959) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Robert William Varner Jr. 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 97,759 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 Navajo County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert William Varner Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert William Varner Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert William Varner Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert William Varner Jr. was killed by handgun.
Military Service
Robert William Varner Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1955–1959) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert William Varner Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Navajo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
