Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Donaldson was shot and killed while attempting to apprehended a Mexican bootlegger near Sonoratown, Arizona. During the arrest Deputy Donaldson began to search the man for weapons when the suspect suddenly produced a revolver and shot him in the hand and stomach. Deputy Donaldson succumbed to the wound early the next morning. The suspect was apprehended the following day near Ray, Arizona.
Deputy Donaldson was survived by his family.
Survivors
Deputy Donaldson was survived by his family.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-AE63F1CF- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Donaldson served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Donaldson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph E. Donaldson 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 Pinal County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph E. Donaldson's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph E. Donaldson Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph E. Donaldson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph E. Donaldson was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
