Deputy Graves was working a sensitive and dangerous undercover assignment on the night of January 21, 1986. He and a passenger were traveling east on Speedway Boulevard on Deputy Graves’ motorcycle. As they approached the intersection of Speedway and Alvernon, a car turned into their path. The motorcycle struck the car in the rear passenger door and Deputy Graves was thrown to the pavement. Deputy Graves, his passenger, and a passenger in the car were taken to Tucson Medical Center and hospitalized. Deputy Graves died of his injuries two days after the accident.

The driver of the car was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way. Deputy Graves, age thirty-five, a twelve-year veteran officer, was survived by his wife, Sandy and two children, Shannon, age 10, and Holly, age 5.

Every day, members of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department put their lives on the line. Some days are uneventful and other days are full of danger. And some days, their dedication to the job leads them to perform great acts of heroism.

 

This area of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department website is dedicated to the members of our Department who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and representing our community.