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Incident
Deputy Jason Lopez was shot and killed near Casa Grande, Arizona when he attempted to serve a warrant.
During the encounter, the suspect began resisting, pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, shot Deputy Lopez once in the throat, and fled. Deputy Lopez was able to crawl back to his patrol car and attempted to radio for help. Responding officers became involved in a running gunfight with the suspect, who was wounded once before taking a hostage in a nearby residence. The hostage was able to escape after several hours, and the suspect surrendered nine hours later.
The suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder on October 8, 2003. The jury was not able to decide on the death penalty, and a second jury had to be convened to decide the sentencing. That jury also was not able to decide on whether to sentence the suspect to death or 25 years to life in prison.
Deputy Lopez had served with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and had been a deputy for 18 months. He is survived by his wife, a 3-year-old son, and a one-month-old child. Both of his parents are also employees of the sheriff's department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, a 3-year-old son, and a one-month-old child.
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 Lopez gave the Pinal County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lopez.
— 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.
Jason is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Jason is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jason 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 2001, 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 2001, 1 officer in AZ was killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jason was 26. 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. Jason had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Jason was 26. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Jason had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jason was 26. 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. Jason had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jason was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jason had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 33.3% of these deaths at Pinal County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.7%.
May holds 13.2% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% 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, Jason 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 3-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Pinal County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
