Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ed Drew was shot and killed while attempting to stop a robbery of a bar in Sonaratown, a suburban mining town just south of Ray, Arizona. Both towns are now gone. Deputy Dew was speaking with the owner of the bar when a masked man entered and ordered everyone to put their hands up. Deputy Drew refused and when the man attempted to strike him he drew his service revolver. The suspect opened fire, striking Deputy Drew twice as they struggled and then fled. The subject was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. He was released in 1947 due to his failing health. Deputy Drew had served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office for only three months. He was survived by his wife, three children, three brothers, and one sister. He is buried in Pearce Cemetery, Cochise County, Arizona.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, three brothers, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-BAADCE5F- 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 Drew 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 Drew.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Edward Landers Drew 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. Edward Landers Drew's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Landers Drew Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Landers Drew is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Landers Drew was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
