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Incident
Deputy Donaldson was shot and killed while attempting to apprehended a Mexican bootlegger near Sonoratown, Arizona. During the arrest Deputy Donaldson began to search the man for weapons when the suspect suddenly produced a revolver and shot him in the hand and stomach. Deputy Donaldson succumbed to the wound early the next morning. The suspect was apprehended the following day near Ray, Arizona.
Deputy Donaldson was survived by his family.
Survivors
Deputy Donaldson was survived by his family.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Donaldson served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Donaldson.
— 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.
Joseph is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1918, 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 1918, 6 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 33.3% of these deaths at Pinal County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
May holds 13.2% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
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; revolver, 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; revolver, in 0.5% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Pinal County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, Joseph 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
