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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Andrew Kriss was shot and killed by a group of bandits involved in the theft of horses and livestock he had followed toward Mexico. He and a county constable had gone to a ranch in Rancho de las Viejas to round up the horses after they had been deserted. As the two drove the horses back towards town several Californios ran most of the horses off. The two lawmen tracked the thieves towards Mexico and overtook two of them who had fallen behind. As they continued towards the rest of the thieves a shootout ensued and Deputy Kriss was shot in the head and killed. Although they had been identified, the suspects were never apprehended. Deputy Kriss had served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for only a few years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- September 17, 2026
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Tributes
162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Kriss served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Andrew is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Andrew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Andrew 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 1864, 1 officer at San Diego County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1864, 2 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1864, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1864, 21 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 162nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Andrew was 35. Of the 6 killed feloniously at San Diego County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 35; the middle age was 32.
Andrew was 35. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Andrew was 35. 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.
Andrew was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 33.3% of these deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Andrew among them.
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Andrew Kriss
May 25, 1864
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Will Ward Nov 27, 1899
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Thomas A. Fay May 17, 1919
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Herbert Dean Sibert
Jul 13, 1949
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Donn G. Witt
Sep 25, 1983
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Kelly Ann Bazer
Jan 13, 1986
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Lonny Gene Brewer
Dec 5, 1987
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Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr.
Feb 8, 1989
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Patrick Steven Coyle
Feb 16, 1997
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Kenneth James Collier
Feb 28, 2010
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Matthew S. Gibbs
Aug 21, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from San Diego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
