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Incident
Officer James Keeton was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-40, 12 miles west of the New Mexico border. A struggle ensued and the suspect gained control of his weapon and shot him with it. Minutes later Officer Don Beckstead stopped the man for another traffic violation. It is believed that Officer Beckstead did not know that the man had just shot and killed Officer Keeton. During that traffic stop, the suspect also shot and killed Officer Beckstead. The man was wanted for murdering a young girl in California. After shooting both officers the man murdered another citizen before being shot and killed by members of the New Mexico State Police.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Keeton served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Keeton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arizona Department of Public Safety has lost 31 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 2 officers at Arizona Department of Public Safety were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 4 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 27. Of the 16 killed feloniously at Arizona Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 47.3; the middle age was 42.
James was 27. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
James was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 18.8% of these deaths at Arizona Department of Public Safety; July holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 37.5%.
February holds 8.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Fridays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 31 deaths at Arizona Department of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 18.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Arizona Department of Public Safety has 31 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Louis O. Cochran
Dec 22, 1958
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Paul E. Marston
Jun 9, 1969
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Gilbert A. Duthie
Sep 5, 1970
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James L. Keeton
Feb 5, 1971
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Don A. Beckstead
Feb 7, 1971
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Alan H. Hansen
Jul 19, 1973
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Gregory A. Diley
Dec 2, 1977
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Noah Mack Merrill, Jr.
Dec 11, 1978
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John C. Walker
Nov 30, 1979
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William Harding Murie
Nov 19, 1980
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Thomas Patrick McNeff
Oct 2, 1983
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Richard G. Stratman
Oct 2, 1983
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Bruce A. Petersen
Oct 20, 1987
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Edward Anthony Rebel
Jun 28, 1988
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Johnny E. Garcia
Oct 14, 1989
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John M. Blaser
Aug 31, 1990
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David George Gabrielli
Aug 31, 1990
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Manuel Hurtado Tapia
Jan 8, 1991
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David Jon Zesiger
Jul 3, 1992
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Mark Maynard Dryer
Jul 3, 1993
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Michael Lynn Crowe
Jul 5, 1995
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Robert K. Martin
Aug 15, 1995
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Douglas Edward Knutson
Jan 2, 1998
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Juan Nieblas Cruz
Dec 9, 1998
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Floyd James Fink, Jr.
Feb 18, 2000
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Brett C. Buckmister
Mar 21, 2000
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Bruce Wesley Harrolle
Oct 13, 2008
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Christopher Russell Marano
Dec 17, 2009
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Timothy Allen Huffman
May 6, 2013
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Tyler James Edenhofer
Jul 25, 2018
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Hunter R. Bennett
Feb 4, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Arizona Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
