Incident
Police Officer Burton Begay was shot and killed after responding to a call involving a man carrying a rifle on a road near the school complex in Tuba City. Officer Begay and another officer responded to the scene and observed the suspect in front of the school. As the officers pulled up, the suspect opened fire killing Officer Begay and wounding the second officer. The suspect, 26, was apprehended a short time later. On September 26, 1977, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Officer Begay had served with the Navajo Division of Public Safety for 15 months was assigned to the Dilcon District.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Begay gave the Navajo Division of Public Safety 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Window Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Begay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Navajo Division of Public Safety has lost 17 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Burton is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Burton is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Burton 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 1975, 1 officer at Navajo Division of Public Safety was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 2.
In 1975, 4 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Burton was 24. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Navajo Division of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 36; the middle age was 34. Burton had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burton was 24. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Burton had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Burton was 24. 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. Burton had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burton was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Burton had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.1% of these deaths at Navajo Division of Public Safety; December holds the most, 22.2%. Mondays: 22.2%.
November holds 5.9% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Mondays: 15.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Navajo Division of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Navajo Division of Public Safety has 17 officers remembered here, Burton among them.
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Hoska Thompson
Oct 20, 1949
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Gordon C. James
Aug 30, 1960
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Burton Begay Nov 17, 1975
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Loren Whitehat, Sr.
May 10, 1979
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Andy Begay
Dec 5, 1987
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Roy Lee Stanley
Dec 5, 1987
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Hoskie Allen Gene
Jan 6, 1996
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Samuel Anthony Redhouse
Feb 17, 1997
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Esther Todacheene
Jun 8, 1998
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Winsonfred A. Filfred
Apr 2, 1999
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Darrell Cervandez Curley
Jun 26, 2011
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Ernest Jesus Montoya, SR
Nov 30, 2014
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Alexander K. Yazzie
Mar 19, 2015
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LeAnder Frank
Aug 30, 2016
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Houston James Largo
Mar 12, 2017
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Michael Lee
Jun 18, 2020
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Esther Charley
Jun 22, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Navajo Division of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.















