Navajo County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
End of Watch Monday, January 2, 1989
Add to My HeroesRobert William Varner, Jr.
Deputy Robert Varner was shot and killed after stopping a stolen vehicle with stolen tags on I-40.
When the vehicle stopped, the passenger exited the car and opened fire with a submachine gun, striking Deputy Varner several times.
The suspects split up, and the shooter committed suicide before officers could apprehend him. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended and sentenced to thirteen years.
Deputy Varner had been a member of the Navajo County Sheriff's Department for one year after retiring from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with 24 years of service. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour 26 years
- Badge 48
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Saturday, December 31, 1988
- Weapon Handgun; Mac-11
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 68 ReflectionsYour name is forever inside a little red book with the name, Pocket Partner. Your friend, Dennis Evers, dedicated this book to you as well as Dave Zesiger and Bruce Peterson. Before I go on duty I reflect on my duties and the sacrifices you and other men who have gone before have given. You will not be forgotten.
Security Officer Thomas Ball
Onsite Security
January 27, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Patrolman Joseph Barlow
McAlester Police Department, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023
Deputy Sheriff Jeremy McCain
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023
Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Hermann Police Department, MO
EOW: March 12, 2023
Master Trooper James R. Bailey
Indiana State Police, IN
EOW: March 3, 2023
Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: March 1, 2023
Correctional Officer Jay Miller
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: February 11, 2023
Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 19, 2023
Sergeant Christopher D. Fitzgerald
Temple University Police Department, PA
EOW: February 18, 2023
Police Officer Geoffrey Redd
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: February 18, 2023