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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Price was stabbed in the throat after a prisoner overpowered him at Dunnigan's Gap, approximately five miles west of Centerville. He had arrested the prisoner for stealing a buggy and a horse and had arrested him near Squaw Valley, California. During the arrest, the suspect attempted to shoot Deputy Price but his gun misfired several times and he was taken into custody. Because Deputy Price had no handcuffs he used rope to restrain the suspect. During the ride back to town the suspect complained that he was hungry so they stopped to eat. When they were finished and began heading back to town Deputy Price did not restrain the suspect again. Deputy Price's body was found with a stab wound in the neck a short time later. The suspect fled the scene and was never apprehended. The suspect was also the prime suspect in the murder of Officer Harry Van Meter, of the Fresno Police Department, three weeks earlier. Deputy Price had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for two months and had served in law enforcement for four years. He was killed on this 32nd birthday.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, brother, and sister.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Price gave the Fresno County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Price.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Joe is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe 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 1907, 1 officer at Fresno County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1907, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 32. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Fresno County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 46.8; the middle age was 39. Joe had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Joe was 32. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Joe had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 32. 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. Joe had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 16.7%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 15 deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.9% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
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Joe Dodd Price
Mar 13, 1907
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John J. O'Leary
Mar 31, 1931
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William Harry Collins
Feb 25, 1937
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Richard Thomas Bain
Nov 16, 1961
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Harold Hurst
Oct 2, 1968
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David G. Graves
Nov 5, 1982
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Jeffrey Sean Isaac
Sep 8, 1997
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Erik Jon Telen
Aug 21, 2001
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Dennis Earl Phelps
May 20, 2002
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Joshua Clyde Lancaster
May 29, 2003
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Joel Brian Wahlenmaier
Feb 25, 2010
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Rod Barron Lucas
Oct 31, 2016
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Jose Cruz Mora
Sep 7, 2020
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Toamalama Scanlan
Oct 12, 2021
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Juan Cruz, Jr.
Nov 5, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
