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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sylvester Villa was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect. He and two other deputies had tracked the suspect to a river, where they lost the track. The other two deputies returned to the patrol car while Deputy Villa began to backtrack the route. He located a man sleeping in the brush and nudged him with his foot. The man suddenly turned over and shot Deputy Villa in the groin. Deputy VIlla was transported to Yuma Hospital where he died a short time later. The man, 27, fled the scene but was later apprehended. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 70 years in prison. An annual shooting competition, the Sylvester Villa Match, is held in Yuma in Deputy Villa's honor. Deputy Villa had served with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Villa gave the Yuma County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yuma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Villa.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yuma County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Sylvester is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Sylvester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sylvester is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 2 officers at Yuma County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1948, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sylvester was 62. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Yuma County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 37; the middle age was 35. Sylvester had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Sylvester was 62. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Sylvester had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Sylvester was 62. 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. Sylvester had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sylvester was 62. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sylvester had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at Yuma County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Sundays: 20%.
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 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Yuma County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 17.6% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Yuma County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Sylvester among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yuma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
