| Officer James L. Keeton
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Arizona
End of Watch: Friday, February 5, 1971 Biographical Info
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 310 Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, February 5, 1971
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed Officer Keeton was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-40. A struggle ensued and the suspect gained control of his weapon and shot him with it. Minutes later Officer Don Beckstead stopped the man for another traffic violation. It is believed that Officer Beckstead did not know that the man had just shot and killed Officer Keeton.
During that traffic stop the suspect also shot and killed Officer Beckstead. The man was wanted for murdering a young girl in California. After shooting both officers the man murdered another citizen before being shot and killed by members of the New Mexico State Police. Related Line of Duty Deaths | 
