Fallen Officers

Yuma County Sheriff’s Deputies put their lives on the line every day for the safety and security of our community. This page is dedicated to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. These brave heroes and their families and loved ones are always in the hearts and minds of those who worked with them, of others who follow in their footsteps and of the public they served.

Sr. Deputy Sheriff Michael Benjamin Meyer

End of Watch: Monday, August 13, 2001
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 4 months; Reserve Deputy-1 year

Senior Deputy Michael Benjamin Meyer was killed in the line of duty the afternoon of Monday, August 13, 2001 in a single-car rollover accident when his patrol truck hydroplaned during a brief but heavy rain storm. Read more>>

Deputy Sheriff Walter Henry Akers

End of Watch: Wednesday, February 4, 1948
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 1 month

Deputy Sheriff Walter Akers was shot at approximately 11:30 p.m. the night of Tuesday, February 3, 1948 when he responded to a call from Constable Jack Harold for help in arresting John Franklin, who had threatened...Read more>>

Deputy Sheriff Sylvester Castillo Villa

End of Watch: Sunday, January 25, 1948
Tour of Duty: 13 years

Deputy Sylvester Villa was shot at approximately 10:00 p.m. the night of Saturday, January 24, 1948 as he and two other deputies were tracking a burglary suspect on foot that had broken into a Yuma home a short time earlier... Read more>>

Deputy Sheriff Fred Kiser

End of Watch: Wednesday, February 20, 1907
Tour of Duty: Approx. 3 months

On the night of Tuesday, February 19, 1907, Deputy Sheriff Fred Kiser was shot in the chest with his own revolver when he was attacked by two men in his bunk house at the Harqua Hala camp, over 100 miles west of Phoenix... Read more>>

Under Sheriff Matthew Bailey DeVane

End of Watch: Tuesday, January 8, 1901
Tour of Duty: 8 days

On the evening of January 8, 1901, Under Sheriff Matthew DeVane was summoned by Mr. Paul Moretti who told him that someone had stolen a case of whiskey from his saloon. Under Sheriff DeVane and Mr. Moretti...Read more>>

Sheriff James T. Dana

End of Watch: Wednesday, September 20, 1871
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 8 months & 15 days

On September 20, 1871, Sheriff James T. Dana, along with a posse, visited a rancheria close to town to arrest an Indian named Big Charlie for killing a woman in Arizona City (Yuma)...Read more>>

Sheriff Cornelius Sage

End of Watch: Wednesday, May 3, 1865
Tour of Duty: 4 months, 19 days

Sheriff Cornelius Sage and an associate, Richard Bell, were shot and killed when they were ambushed by Yavapai Apache tribe members at Willow Springs, between Camp Date Creek and Kirkland Valley...Read more>>

DISCLAIMER: The information regarding the YCSO fallen officers is a work in progress. The information may change as information is corroborated through research.

If you have any information or photos pertaining to any of the YCSO fallen officers, please contact:

Anna Amezcua
Tel: (928) 783-4427, Ext. 3007
Email: Anna.Amezcua@ycso.yumacountyaz.gov