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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Coleman was shot and killed while responding to a burglary call in Anthem at approximately 4:15 am.
As he and another deputy arrived at the scene they encountered a male subject inside of a van at a medical building near the intersection of Anthem Way and Gavilan Peak Parkway. As they attempted to make contact with the man he opened fire on them with a rifle, striking Deputy Coleman below his vest. The suspect was killed by return gunfire from other deputies.
Deputy Coleman was transported to John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Coleman had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, his father, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 2012, 2 officers at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2012, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 2012, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2012, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 50. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 47.5 and 53.5; the middle age was 51. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
William was 50. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 50. 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. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 36.4% of these deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Sundays: 9.1%.
January holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Sundays: 11.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 39.3% of all 28 deaths at Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, William 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 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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