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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Dobson succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while arresting a man who was impersonating a constable.
As Deputy Dobson removed the badge the man was wearing the man pulled out a handgun and shot him four times. He was taken to a local hospital where he died the following day.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The local justice of the peace was convicted of aiding and abetting the suspect. He was also convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. In November of 1913 the Arizona Supreme Court reversed his conviction.
Deputy Dobson had served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children and is buried in Holy Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tuscon, Arizona.
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 Dobson gave the Pinal County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dobson.
— 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.
William is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 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 1912, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 32. 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. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
William was 32. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.3% of these deaths at Pinal County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 16.7%.
March holds 4.4% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Fridays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
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, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pinal County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, William 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 21-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
