Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 21, 1937
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 21, 1937
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed by a civilian
Special Deputy Edward Roberts was shot and killed after responding to a report of a murder at a cotton factory in Litchfield Park.
An enraged former employee had just killed his ex-boss and when Deputy Roberts approached the man shot him. As Deputy Roberts lay wounded, the man took his gun and shot him again, killing him. A factory worker who witnessed the gun battle shot and killed the man.
Deputy Roberts had served as a special deputy in Litchfield Park for seven years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.