Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Keeton was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-40, 12 miles west of the New Mexico border. A struggle ensued and the suspect gained control of his weapon and shot him with it. Minutes later Officer Don Beckstead stopped the man for another traffic violation. It is believed that Officer Beckstead did not know that the man had just shot and killed Officer Keeton. During that traffic stop, the suspect also shot and killed Officer Beckstead. The man was wanted for murdering a young girl in California. After shooting both officers the man murdered another citizen before being shot and killed by members of the New Mexico State Police.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-2D380023- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Keeton served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Keeton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer James L. Keeton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Arizona Department of Public Safety, 16 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James L. Keeton's cause is highlighted.
How James L. Keeton Compares
Offender Outcome
traffic stop
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James L. Keeton is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James L. Keeton was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Arizona Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
