Incident
Sheriff Robert Tarr was shot and killed at an agricultural inspection station near Kingman, Arizona, at 3:00 p.m. Two men who had just been released from California and Arizona prisons had stolen a car in Long Beach, CA, and were stopped at the agricultural inspection station because they didn't have the paperwork for the car. The inspector called the sheriff, and when he responded, he asked one of the men to open the trunk. After doing so, the ex-convict drew a weapon and shot Sheriff Tarr as he walked toward him. Sheriff Tarr then drew his weapon and fired four times, hitting the suspect twice. Sheriff Tarr was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and served in law enforcement for 33 years. He had served with the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, Kingman Police Department, and the San Bernardino County, California, Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, nine children, mother, and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-A991AF8B- 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 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.
Sheriff Tarr gave the Mohave County Sheriff's Office 33 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kingman 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 Mendum Tarr served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Robert Mendum Tarr 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 Mohave County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Mendum Tarr's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Mendum Tarr Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Mendum Tarr is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Mendum Tarr was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Mohave County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.




