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Incident
Corporal Don Mauldin succumbed to gunshot wounds received nine years earlier while he and other deputies attempted to arrest a convicted felon.
On December 11, 1993, at 3:40 p.m., Corporal Mauldin and another deputy responded to a domestic service call at the 2800 block of South Gila Road in Apache Junction when a female reported that her husband had threatened to shoot her. Once the deputies attempted to enter the home, the subject fired at Corporal Mauldin and his partner, striking them both in the head. Responding deputies returned fire, injuring the suspect with non-life-threatening wounds.
The other deputy was transported to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital-Osborn with a minor wound. The bullet had ricocheted off his glasses, hitting him in his cheek.
Corporal Mauldin was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, where he was determined to be brain-dead, but after nine days, he woke up. He was confined to the hospital until succumbing to his injury on August 24, 2002.
The suspect, whose parole had just expired, was convicted of five counts of aggravated assault, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of endangerment, five counts of misconduct involving a weapon, and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of dangerous drugs. He was sentenced to 145 years in prison.
Corporal Mauldin had served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department for seven years and previously served with the South Tucson Police Department and the Gila County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Mauldin gave the Pinal County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Mauldin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pinal County Sheriff's Office has lost 14 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald 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 2002, 1 officer at Pinal County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1914, with 2.
In 2002, 1 officer in AZ was killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 78 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 60. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Pinal County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.5; the middle age was 38.5. Donald had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Donald was 60. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Donald had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Donald was 60. 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. Donald had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at Pinal County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 25%.
August holds 8.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Saturdays: 14.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 14 deaths at Pinal County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 1% 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 handgun; .357 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Pinal County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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Edward Landers Drew
May 15, 1911
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William Dobson Mar 1, 1912
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William Phineas Brown
Aug 19, 1914
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John C. Power Nov 5, 1914
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Joseph E. Donaldson May 14, 1918
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Elwin Buchanan Conoley Aug 13, 1927
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Jack Hickox
Jun 8, 1938
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Samuel Dow Blackwell
Jun 6, 1943
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James Edward Smith
Aug 3, 1948
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Carlos Escamilla
May 14, 1955
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James Melvin Morgan
Feb 25, 1973
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James W. Linder
Mar 7, 1982
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Jason Patrick Lopez
May 4, 2001
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Donald Lee Mauldin
Aug 24, 2002
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
