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Incident
Deputy Purifoy was beaten to death after responding to a family disturbance call. Deputy Purifoy was dispatched to the scene around 5:40 pm, and about 6:00 pm another call concerning a deputy being down was received. The sheriff arrived around 6:30 pm and found the deputy's body, which had been badly beaten, with an iron of some sort. The suspect came out of the house holding something behind his back and when ordered to remove his hand and drop what he had, he produced a handgun. He then turned and went back inside the house. The sheriff fired three shots at the suspect, who fired five times in return. The suspect was wounded in the exchange of gunfire, surrendered, and taken to the now defunct Nevada County Hospital for treatment. The suspect, 39, with a history of mental problems, was convicted of capital murder and was sentenced to life without parole. He died in prison on June 13, 2002. Deputy Purifoy had served with the Nevada Count Sheriff's Department for 26 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Purifoy gave the Nevada County Sheriff's Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Prescott community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Purifoy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
R. is the only officer of Nevada County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
R. is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
R. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
R. is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 2 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1992, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1992, 97 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
R. was 74. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. R. had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
R. was 74. 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. R. had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
R. was 74. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. R. had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 5.6% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 18.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Nevada County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.6% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
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