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Incident
Undersheriff Matthew DeVane was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three tramps who had just stolen a barrel of liquor. Undersheriff DeVane located the men at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street. As he began to search the men one of them pulled out a gun and fatally shot him. The three men were eventually apprehended. The subject who killed Undersheriff DeVane was convicted of his murder and sent to prison. On November 3rd, 1901, he and another prisoner overpowered a guard, took several guns, and escaped from Yuma Prison. Later in the day the man was shot and killed near Fortuna during a gunfight with a posse that caught up with him.
Survivors
Undersheriff DeVane was survived by his brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff DeVane served with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Yuma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff DeVane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yuma County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Matthew is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 1 officer at Yuma County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1948, with 2.
In 1901, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 29. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Yuma County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 37; the middle age was 35.
Matthew was 29. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Matthew was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Matthew was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at Yuma County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 20%.
January holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Tuesdays: 15.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Yuma County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Yuma County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yuma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
