Prev
Incident
Deputy John Anderson was killed when he fell several hundred feet down Sabino Canyon after rescuing a lost hiker. A boy was stranded on a narrow ledge. Deputy Anderson repelled down the cliff's edge, tied a rope to the boy's waist, and the boy was pulled to safety. When Deputy Anderson began his climb upward, he lost his grip and fell 900 feet into the pool of water wedged between two boulders. He was recovered eight hours later. Deputy Anderson had been with the Pima County Sheriff's Department for 10.5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqgfj7xd9v91k51ykep5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Anderson gave the Pima County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Anderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pima County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 1 officer at Pima County Sheriff's Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1948, 1 officer in AZ was lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 56 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 5.
In 1948, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 33. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Pima County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.3 and 36.3; the middle age was 34. John had served 10.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 33. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5. John had served 10.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 33. 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. John had served 10.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 10.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 40% of these deaths at Pima County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 40%.
August holds 8.4% of these deaths in AZ; November holds the most, 14.7%. Mondays: 18.9%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Pima County Sheriff's Department, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pima County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
Andrew W. Holbrook Apr 29, 1883
-
Joe W. Meeks
Jan 21, 1913
-
James A. Mercer
Dec 11, 1914
-
Clifford W. Nelson
Oct 23, 1928
-
John D. Anderson
Aug 9, 1948
-
Rupert M. Hopkins
Dec 18, 1950
-
Jack R. Brierly
Nov 16, 1953
-
Ernest Calvillo
Jul 21, 1983
-
Randall Wayne Graves
Jan 23, 1986
-
Shannon Douglas Russell
Dec 5, 2002
-
Timothy David Graham
Aug 10, 2005
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pima County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
