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Incident
Special Deputy John Saxton and Special Deputy Jack West were shot and killed at a ranch in Wild Horse Valley, approximately 35 miles south of Burns, Oregon. They had gone to the ranch to arrest a man who was wanted in Douglas County for burglary. As they approached the ranchhouse the man opened fire on them with a shotgun, striking Deputy West. The man then entered the home through a window. Deputy Saxton entered the home and the two exchanged shots through a wall. The subject fled to the home's second floor after shooting Deputy Saxton in the shoulder. Despite his wounds, Deputy Saxton went back outside and tended to Deputy West. He had gone to a nearby spring twice to bring Deputy West water. As he turned away to make a third trip the man again opened fire from the home, fatally wounding him. The subject fled the state but was arrested in Idaho Falls, Idaho, but was arrested on October 26th, 1903. He was extradited back to Oregon to face trial. He was convicted of both murders, sentenced to death, and hanged at the Oregon State Penitentiary on January 29th, 1904.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Saxton served with the Harney County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Burns community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Saxton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harney County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1903, 3 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 44. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43.
John was 44. 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.
John was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Sundays: 10.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Harney County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.4% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Harney County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Harney County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
