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Incident
Reserve Deputy James Epp drowned while attempting to save two women trapped in a car when the Salt River flooded the roadway at Schoolhouse Road and Grapevine Road. Deputy Epp and a civilian who was assisting him were swept away by the river as they attempted to attach a chain to the car. His body was found one mile downstream. The civilian survived. Deputy Epp had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for nearly 20 years and was awarded the Arizona Medal of Valor posthumously in May 1978. He volunteered with the agency for nearly 20 years prior to his death.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Reserve Deputy Epp gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Epp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 1 officer at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 2 officers in AZ were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 56 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 5.
In 1978, 78 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1978, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 42. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 39. James had served 19.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 42. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5. James had served 19.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 42. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 19.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 19.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 20%.
March holds 5.3% of these deaths in AZ; November holds the most, 14.7%. Wednesdays: 11.6%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 35.7% of all 28 deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Kurtz Fickas
Nov 17, 1916
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Almon W. Dana Apr 9, 1922
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Robert Lee Wright Jan 29, 1930
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Edward J. Roberts
Jul 21, 1937
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Burtice W. Wickstrum
Jan 8, 1951
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Gerald Barnes
Oct 5, 1957
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Robert L. Dorn
Aug 31, 1965
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Warren LaRue
Jan 18, 1971
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Rex Atwood Stone
Jan 18, 1971
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Ralph K. Butler
Jun 12, 1972
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James L. Epp
Mar 1, 1978
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Darrell Dean McCloud
May 13, 1985
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Vernon P. Marconnet
Jun 30, 1988
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Patrick Joseph Riley
Mar 11, 1994
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Edwardo M. Gonzales
Aug 28, 1995
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Kenneth Ray Blair
Sep 28, 1995
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Gary Frederick Labenz
Oct 10, 2005
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William Hauley Coleman
Jan 8, 2012
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David William Wargo, Jr.
May 1, 2012
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Gene Wade Lee
Oct 30, 2019
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Ernest Quintero
Jul 6, 2020
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Kevin Joseph Fletcher
Jul 6, 2020
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Miroslaw Mroczkowski
Jul 15, 2020
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Alicia Dawn Carter
Aug 9, 2021
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Kendall Leroy Thomas
Sep 10, 2021
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Juan Miguel Ruiz
Oct 11, 2021
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Chad Owen Brackman
Nov 10, 2021
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Shawn A. Braaten
Dec 16, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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