Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy John Saxton and Special Deputy Jack West were shot and killed at a ranch in Wild Horse Valley, approximately 35 miles south of Burns, Oregon. They had gone to the ranch to arrest a man who was wanted in Douglas County for burglary. As they approached the ranchhouse the man opened fire on them with a shotgun, striking Deputy West. The man then entered the home through a window. Deputy Saxton entered the home and the two exchanged shots through a wall. The subject fled to the home's second floor after shooting Deputy Saxton in the shoulder. Despite his wounds, Deputy Saxton went back outside and tended to Deputy West. He had gone to a nearby spring twice to bring Deputy West water. As he turned away to make a third trip the man again opened fire from the home, fatally wounding him. The subject fled the state but was arrested in Idaho Falls, Idaho, but was arrested on October 26th, 1903. He was extradited back to Oregon to face trial. He was convicted of both murders, sentenced to death, and hanged at the Oregon State Penitentiary on January 29th, 1904.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-02C7161A- Stewardship
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- 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 Sheriff Saxton served with the Harney County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Burns community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Saxton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff John G. Saxton 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Harney County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John G. Saxton's cause is highlighted.
How John G. Saxton Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1904
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John G. Saxton is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John G. Saxton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Harney County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
