David Ralph Sanchez
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

David Ralph Sanchez

Lake County Sheriff's Office — Lakeview, OR
Felonious
End of Watch December 1, 1979
Age 31
The Vigil Panel 122 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff David Sanchez died after being shot 17 times, 10 in the back as he lay dying, by a man he arrested during a disturbance at a high school dance in Paisley. His body was located on the highway south of town. After a plea-bargain arrangement, the suspect was convicted of second degree manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was paroled after serving less than five years. Deputy Sanchez had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for six months and had previously served with the Fresno County, California, Sheriff's Office for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-37F18065
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 Sanchez served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeview community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sanchez.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Lakeview, OR
Platform Identity lcso.lake.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 1, 1979
Age 31
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to 10 years

Deputy Sheriff David Ralph Sanchez 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 Lake County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Lake County Sheriff's Office
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
OR — Statewide
115
of 197 officers
58.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Ralph Sanchez's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How David Ralph Sanchez Compares

Age at End of Watch
31
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 10 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Ralph Sanchez is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Ralph Sanchez was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.