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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Howard and Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Heilman were killed in an aircraft accident while searching for escapees from the Mohave County Jail. The two deputies were killed when their airplane crashed in the Cerbat Mountains during a multi-agency search for the five escapees. The fugitives were caught the next day.
Survivors
Deputy Howard was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Howard served with the Mohave County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kingman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Howard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Mohave County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 5 officers in AZ were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1973, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frank was 57. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5.
Frank was 57. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Frank was 57. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
November holds 14.7% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 8 deaths at Mohave County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Mohave County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Mohave County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
