Roll of Honor
Incident
County Ranger James Mercer succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained nine days earlier when he was shot while trying to arrest a suspected cattle rustler near Pantano, Arizona. Ranger Mercer was taken to Rodgers Hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds. The subject fled to Mexico and it is unknown if he was ever arrested. Ranger Mercer had served as a cattle inspector and county ranger for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-6822F061- 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.
County Ranger Mercer gave the Pima County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, County Ranger Mercer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
County Ranger James A. Mercer 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 Pima County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Mercer's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Mercer Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Mercer is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Mercer was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pima County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
