The Fallen Officer Ceremony leads into National Police Week, which is Sunday, May 12^th through Saturday, May 18^th and represents a time when the nation pauses to reflect on and to celebrate the lives of fallen officers.  During this week, the country also thanks those continuing to serve and protect our communities and families in law enforcement capacities.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty every 57 hours.  Whether performing a traffic stop or pursuing a known, armed, and dangerous fugitive, no task or assignment is routine for the law enforcement officers and deputies who devote their lives to upholding law and order and protecting lives in spite of the potential risks they face.

“With the 2013 National Police Week upon us, I hope Pinal County and our nation take a moment to appreciate the professionalism, relentless dedication, and selfless sacrifice the men and women of the badge provide in service to our communities,” stated Pinal County Attorney Voyles.  “These fallen men and women, sworn to uphold the laws and protect us, and the families they leave behind deserve recognition for the sacrifice they made and continue to make,” continued Voyles.

As recent as, on Monday, May 6, 2013, Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer Tim Huffman, based out of Yuma, became the most recent member of Arizona’s fallen officers.  Officer Huffman served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 14 years and as a member of the Arizona Army National Guard.  “Our thoughts and prayers go to Huffman’s family, Director Halliday and all of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  His loss represents a loss for the greater-Yuma community and state,” Voyles offered.

The following, details those individuals, who lost their life in selfless devotion and are commended and recognized for their sacrifice to our community:

Agent Michael V. Gallagher, United States Border Patrol, September 2, 2010
Sergeant Tate Allan Lynch, Casa Grande Police Department, October 25, 2007
Officer Armando Reyes, Gila River Police Department, October 24, 2007
Detention Officer Richard P. Gowanlock, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, January 29, 2004
Sergeant Donald Lee Mauldin, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, August 24, 2002
Agent Roberto J. Duran, United States Border Patrol, May 6, 2002
Deputy Jason Patrick Lopez, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, May 4, 2001
Officer Michael S. Delgado, Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department, April 9, 1998
Deputy William Livingston, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, June 1, 1996
Sergeant Ronald E. Kelley, Ak-Chin Police Department, November 20, 1995
Corrections Officer Robert K. Barchey, Department of Corrections, November 15, 1993
Sergeant Mark M. Dryer, Department of Public Safety, July 3, 1993
Sergeant Kevin T. Lewis, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pima, January 16, 1993
Officer Johnny E. Garcia, Department of Public Safety, October 14, 1989
Corporal James A. Ross, Mammoth Police Department, June 10, 1988
Officer Russell Lowell Duncan, Apache Junction Police Department, November 9, 1983
Chief Milton P. Antone, Ak-Chin Police Department, April 14, 1983
Agent Victor Ochoa, United States Border Patrol, March 11, 1983
Corrections Officer Dale E. Morey, Department of Corrections, June 22, 1973
Corrections Officer Theodore Buckley, Department of Corrections, June 22, 1973
Agent George White, Narcotics Strike Force, March 25, 1973
Deputy James Melvin Morgan, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, February 25, 1973
Corrections Officer James Steiner, Department of Corrections, September 18, 1967
Deputy Carlos Escamilla, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, May 14, 1955
Deputy Edward Smith, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, August 3, 1948
Deputy Samuel Dow Blackwell, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, June 6, 1943
Deputy Jack Hickox, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, June 8, 1938
Deputy Lee Wright, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, January 28, 1930
Deputy Edwin B. Conoley, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, August 13, 1927
Deputy Joseph E. Donaldson, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, May 14, 1918
Deputy William Tenney, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, April 4, 1918
Deputy John C. Powers, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, November 5, 1914
Deputy Phineas Brown, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, August 19, 1914
Deputy Ed Landers Drew, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, May 15, 1911

For more information, contact Jim Knupp at 520.866.6573 or by email at jim.knupp@pinalcountyaz.gov.

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