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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Meeks was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for illegally discharging a firearm in Ajo, Arizona. The subject fled to Mexico after the shooting.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Meeks served with the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tucson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Meeks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pima County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Joe is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe 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 1913, 5 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 39. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Joe was 39. 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.
Joe was 39. 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 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 36.4% of all 11 deaths at Pima County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% 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
Pima County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
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Andrew W. Holbrook Apr 29, 1883
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Joe W. Meeks
Jan 21, 1913
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James A. Mercer
Dec 11, 1914
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Clifford W. Nelson
Oct 23, 1928
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John D. Anderson
Aug 9, 1948
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Rupert M. Hopkins
Dec 18, 1950
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Jack R. Brierly
Nov 16, 1953
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Ernest Calvillo
Jul 21, 1983
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Randall Wayne Graves
Jan 23, 1986
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Shannon Douglas Russell
Dec 5, 2002
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Timothy David Graham
Aug 10, 2005
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
10 officers from Pima County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
