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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Blackwell succumbed to stab wounds received four days earlier in Coolidge while attempting to arrest a man who had raped his girlfriend and threatened her with a knife. When Deputy Blackwell approached the man he was attacked and stabbed in the chest. Although wounded, he was able to draw his weapon and fatally shoot the man. Deputy Blackwell was taken to Casa Grande Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds four days later. Deputy Blackwell worked for the Pinal County Sheriff's Department and served as the resident deputy for the town of Coolidge.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Blackwell 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 Blackwell.
— 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.
Samuel is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1943, 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 1943, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 59. 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.
Samuel was 59. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Samuel was 59. 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.
Samuel was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Pinal County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 8.3%.
June holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Sundays: 11.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
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 edged weapon, 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 edged weapon, in 3.9% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Pinal County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, Samuel 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 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
