In Memoriam

John D. Anderson

Deputy

End of Watch: August 9, 1948

On August 8, 1948, Deputy John D. Anderson, Chief Criminal Investigator, went to Sabino Canyon to rescue a boy stranded on a narrow ledge, 500 feet above Sabino Creek. As night arrived, the rescue was postponed until morning.

At daybreak, Deputy Anderson, along with several deputies and forest rangers, hiked to a point at the top of the cliff, about 450 feet above the stranded boy. Deputy Anderson was lowered to the ledge, tied the rope around the waist of the boy and signaled to start the hoist upward. After the boy was pulled to safety by the others, Deputy Anderson started his own climb to the top of the cliff. During his climb, Deputy Anderson lost his grip, fell 900 feet into a pool of water and was wedged between two boulders for eight hours before being recovered.

Deputy John D. Anderson, 33, was survived by his wife Suzanne, his parents, and two brothers.

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