Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Edward Roberts was shot and killed after responding to a report of a murder at a cotton factory in Litchfield Park. An enraged former employee had just killed his ex-boss and when Deputy Roberts approached the man shot him. As Deputy Roberts lay wounded, the man took his gun and shot him again, killing him. A factory worker who witnessed the gun battle shot and killed the man. Deputy Roberts had served as a special deputy in Litchfield Park for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-35CCE2A7- 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.
Special Deputy Roberts gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Edward J. Roberts 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 Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward J. Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How Edward J. Roberts Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed by a civilian
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward J. Roberts is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward J. Roberts was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
