Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Burton Begay was shot and killed after responding to a call involving a man carrying a rifle on a road near the school complex in Tuba City. Officer Begay and another officer responded to the scene and observed the suspect in front of the school. As the officers pulled up, the suspect opened fire killing Officer Begay and wounding the second officer. The suspect, 26, was apprehended a short time later. On September 26, 1977, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Officer Begay had served with the Navajo Division of Public Safety for 15 months was assigned to the Dilcon District.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TR-70488A35- 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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Begay gave the Navajo Division of Public Safety 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Window Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Begay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Burton Begay 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 Navajo Division of Public Safety, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Burton Begay's cause is highlighted.
How Burton Begay Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Burton Begay is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Burton Begay was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Navajo Division of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
