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Incident
Sheriff Cornelius Sage and two associates were shot and killed when ambushed by Yavapai Apache tribe members at Willow Springs. The three were en route from La Paz, Arizona, to Prescott, Arizona, on official business when the ambush took place.
He was previously the constable of Castle Dome from September 30th, 1864, until he became the Yuma County sheriff on January 1st, 1865. The Apaches ambushed and killed Sheriff Sage, eleven men, and four soldiers in Arizona in 1865.
Sheriff Sage was survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister. He was preceded in death by one sister.
Sheriff Sage was survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister. He was preceded in death by one sister.
Survivors
Sheriff Sage was survived by his parents, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
161 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Sage served with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Yuma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yuma County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Cornelius is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Cornelius is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cornelius 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 1865, 1 officer at Yuma County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1948, with 2.
In 1865, 1 officer in AZ was killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1865, 15 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 165th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1865, 16 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 168th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cornelius was 35. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Yuma County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 37; the middle age was 35. Cornelius had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Cornelius was 35. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Cornelius had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Cornelius was 35. 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. Cornelius had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cornelius was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cornelius had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Yuma County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 60%.
May holds 13.2% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Yuma County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.8% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Yuma County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Cornelius among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yuma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
