End of Watch

Headshot of Tyler Edenhofer

Tyler Edenhofer

Badge: 10449
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Trooper Tyler Edenhofer was finishing his last night of field training when calls came in reporting a man on the side of the road throwing debris at passing vehicles on Interstate 10 near Avondale. Three Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers and two Goodyear Police Department officers responded to the scene and attempted to take the subject into custody. The man resisted arrest and engaged the officers in a struggle that lasted several minutes. The subject was able to obtain on of the officer's duty weapons during the struggle and opened fire, killing Trooper Edenhofer and wounding another Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper. The suspect was ultimately taken into custody.        Trooper Edenhofer served in the Navy before joining AZDPS in September 2017.

At 25 years of age he is the youngest fallen trooper from DPS.

Trooper Edenhofer was survived by his parents and Fiancé.
Headshot of Timothy Huffman

Timothy Huffman

Badge: 5430
Residence: Dateland
End of Watch: May, 6, 2013

Officer Timothy Huffman was on the scene of an injury collision on Interstate 8, 40 miles east of Yuma, when a tanker truck failed to observe the closure of a lane on the highway. The driver of the semi-truck, struck the back of Officer Huffman's patrol car at full speed, pushing it into two other patrol cars, a fire department vehicle and a civilian vehicle. Huffman was seated inside his patrol car writing a report and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to six years in prison.

Officer Huffman had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 14 years.

He was 47 and was survived by his parents and twin brother.
Headshot of Christopher R. Marano

Christopher R. Marano

Badge: 6759
Residence: Suprise
End of Watch: December 17, 2009

Officer Marano died from injuries suffered when he was struck by a vehicle while deploying stop sticks during a pursuit on Loop 101 in Phoenix. The suspect eventually abandoned her stolen vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby neighborhood. She was later apprehended by officers at a condominium complex shortly after abandoning the stolen vehicle. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder, six years for unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle, and 11.25 years for theft of means of transportation.

Officer Marano had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for three and one half years.

He was 28 years old and survived by his wife and four daughters.
Headshot of Bruce W. Harrolle

Bruce W. Harrolle

Badge: 5669
End of Watch: October 13, 2008

Officer/Paramedic Bruce W. Harrolle was killed while assisting with a search and rescue mission of two stranded and dehydrated hikers. Officer/Paramedic Harrolle loaded one hiker into the helicopter and was escorting the second patient to the helicopter when he was struck by the helicopter's rotor blades and fatally injured. Both hikers were flown to safety.

Officer/Paramedic Harrolle had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for nine years.

He was 36 years old and was survived by his wife, two young children, and parents.
Headshot of Brett C. Buckmister

Brett C. Buckmister

Badge: 5548
Residence: Page
End of Watch: March 21, 2000

Officer Brett Buckmister died from injuries suffered in a traffic collision within the outer city limits of Page. Officer Buckmister was en route, during rainy/snowy conditions, to an accident when his patrol car collided with a van. Three people in the van also lost their lives in the crash.

Officer Buckmister had served one year, one month and one day with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

He was 27 and was survived by his wife and two young children.

 
Headshot of Floyd J. “Skip” Fink

Floyd J. “Skip” Fink

Badge: 940
Residence: Chandler
End of Watch: February 18, 2000

Officer Floyd "Skip" Fink had just stopped an eastbound motorist on the Superstition Freeway (U.S. 60) near McClintock Drive, Tempe, when his patrol car was struck from behind. Upon impact, Officer Fink’s patrol car burst into flames, trapping the 28-year DPS veteran officer. Several people tried to rescue the DPS officer, who had not yet removed his seatbelt, from the flaming wreckage, but were unable to do so until they were able to douse the flames with personal extinguishers. The Miami native was pronounced dead about an hour later at the Maricopa County Hospital Burn Unit. The other driver who fled the collision scene, but was captured a short time later, was found to be under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana. He was charged with second-degree murder, endangerment, possession and use of dangerous drugs, possession of marijuana, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. In December 2000, the suspect pled guilty to a charge of manslaughter. On March 30th, 2001, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, the maximum allowable under the plea deal reached with Maricopa County prosecutors.

Just two weeks short of his 28-year anniversary with the Department, Officer Fink had the most years of service among DPS/AHP officers killed in the line of duty.

He was 53 and was survived by his wife and four adult children.
Headshot of Juan N. Cruz

Juan N. Cruz

Badge: 3111
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: December 9, 1998

Officer Juan Cruz was killed when his patrol car was rear-ended while he was investigating an accident on I-10 in Tuson. The vehicle that struck him had driven through a line of flares and didn't slow down before the impact. He was sitting in his patrol car, which was parked in the left land with emergency lights activated when the crash occurred. The patrol car burst into flames and as another officer attempted to free him, a small explosion occurred. the suspect, who turned 21 the day before the crash, had a BAC of .168. She pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Officer Cruz had been with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 17 years.

He was 48 and was survived by five children and fiancé. His wedding was scheduled for two weeks after the incident.

 

 
Headshot of Douglas E. Knutson

Douglas E. Knutson

Badge: 3818
Residence: Scottsdale
End of Watch: January 2, 1998

Motorcycle Officer Douglas Knutson died as a result of being struck by a vehicle while he was assisting a disabled motorist and waiting for a tow truck to remove an abandoned vehicle at the gore point of Scottsdale Road and Westbound Loop 202. Motorcycle Officer Knutson suffered multiple injuries when struck from behind by a small pickup truck. Officer Knutson was the first DPS Motorcycle Officer to be killed in the line of duty. The driver of the small pickup was not charged. 

Officer Knutson had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 12 years.

He was 43 and was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Headshot of Robert K. Martin

Robert K. Martin

Badge: 474
Residence: Chandler
End of Watch: August 15, 1995

Officer Bob Martin was shot and killed during a traffic stop on the Beeline Highway near Fountain Hills. His assailant, a nineteen-year-old ex-convict from Globe, stole Martin's service weapon and fled to California. He then used the service weapon during the murder of a convenience store clerk. The suspect was apprehended a few days later near Blythe, California and convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of theft and two counts misconduct. He was sentence to death.

Officer Martin had been with the Arizona Highway Patrol/Department of Public safety for 27 years.

He was 43 and was survived by his wife. 

 
Headshot of Sgt. Michael L. Crowe

Sgt. Michael L. Crowe

Badge: 2729
Residence: Yuma
End of Watch: July 5, 1995

Sgt. Michael Crowe was shot to death, along with Yuma Police Department Lt. Dan Elkins, after they and a third officer arrived at the Southwest Border Alliance headquarters building near the Yuma International Airport. The three were members of the SBA task force and had agreed to meet at the building to discuss missing items from the SBA property room. Upon entering the building, they interrupted a burglary in progress and were shot by the intruder. Yuma police arrested a Yuma County Sheriff's Office deputy as a suspect in the double murder. The deputy was a fellow member of the same narcotics task force and was later convicted of the double murder. The deputy was sentence to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years. He later died in prison.

Sergeant Crowe had served with the Department of Public Safety for 15 years.

He was 41 and was survived by his wife and two daughters.

 
Headshot of Sgt. Mark Dryer

Sgt. Mark Dryer

Badge: 9764
Residence: Phoenix
End of Watch: July 3, 1993

Reserve Sergeant Mark Dryer was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver during a traffic stop. He was speaking to the driver of the car he had stopped when the drunk driver struck his patrol car and then struck him. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital a short time later. The driver of the vehicle, who was under the influence of drugs at the time of the collision, was sentenced to 15 years in an Arizona state prison. He was the agency's first Reserve Officer to be killed in the line of duty. The Department’s Reserve Officer of the Year Award is named after Sgt. Dryer’s honor.

Sergeant Dryer had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 12 years and had previously served as a police officer in Texas. 

He was 35 and was survived by his two children.

Headshot of Sergeant David Jon Zesiger

Sergeant David Jon Zesiger

Badge: 1848
Residence: Lakeside
End of Watch: July 3, 1992

Sgt. David Zesiger was leading a family to a campsite near McNary when his fully marked departmental Chevrolet Blazer was struck head-on by a pickup truck. The driver of that vehicle was found to be driving under the influence. The driver was sentenced to four years in federal prison but was released after one year. Ten days later, he was arrested by a DPS officer following a short pursuit on the Navajo Reservation. The suspect was found to be in violation of his parole (drinking alcoholic beverages) and was returned to a federal prison to complete his sentence.

Sergeant Zesiger had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 16 years.

He was 47 and was survived by his wife and two sons.

Headshot of Sgt. Manuel H. Tapia

Sgt. Manuel H. Tapia

Badge: 1409
Residence: Nogales
End of Watch: January 8, 1991

Sgt. Manuel Tapia was shot on the night of January 7, 1991, in Nogales by a drug suspect after a traffic stop. Sgt. Tapia asked the suspect, Noel Gonzales-Bernal, to open the vehicle's trunk, at which point the suspect fled on foot with Sgt. Tapia chasing after him. The suspect then turned and shot Sgt. Tapia, fatally wounding him. It was later learned that Sgt. Tapia was unarmed, having inadvertently left his weapon in his vehicle. He died the following morning, January 8, 1991, at Tucson Medical Center. The suspect was later shot and killed by a Nogales police officer. 

Sergeant Tapia had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 17 years.

He was 41 and was survived by his parents, three children, three sisters and three brothers.

Headshot of David G. Gabrielli

David G. Gabrielli

Badge: 1231
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: August 31, 1990

Officer David Gabrielli was investigating an earlier drunk driving related accident with Sergeant John Blaser. As they were standing in the median a car driven by another drunk driver swerved across two lanes of traffic and struck both. Officer Gabrielli died at the scene. The driver who had a BAC of .25 was sentenced to 21 years for manslaughter and reckless endangerment and died in prison.

Officer Gabrielli had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for sixteen years. 

He was 43 and survived by his wife and daughter. 

Headshot of Sgt. John M. Blaser

Sgt. John M. Blaser

Badge: 2916
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: August 31, 1990

Sgt. John Blaser was investigation an earlier drunk driving related accident with Officer David Gabrielli. As they were standing in the median a car driven by another drunk driver swerved across two lanes of traffic and struck both. Sgt. Blaser died after being transported to a Tucson area hospital. Sgt. Blaser was the first DPS line supervisor to die in the line of duty. The driver who had a BAC of .25 was sentenced to 21 years for manslaughter and reckless endangerment and died in prison.

Sergeant Blaser had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for ten years.

He was 36 and was survived by his wife, parents and brother.
Headshot of Johnny E. Garcia

Johnny E. Garcia

Badge: 3572
Residence: Eloy
End of Watch: October 14, 1989

Officer Johnny Garcia died while responding to a report of a drunk driver whose car was stuck in a right-of-way fence near the Picacho interchange on Interstate 10. While passing a car on State Route 84 near Casa Grande, Officer Garcia's patrol car struck loose gravel, rolled three times and hit a car and then a tree.

Officer Garcia had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for three and a-half years.

He was 30 and was survived by his parents and three sisters.
Headshot of Edward Rebel

Edward Rebel

Badge: 233
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: June 28, 1988

Officer Ed Rebel was shot to death while attempting to arrest a suspect driving a stolen car near Marana on Interstate 10. Officer Rebel, despite his mortal wound, was able to fire a volley of shots, killing his assailant, who was believed to be part of a stolen car ring.

Officer Rebel had served with the Ariona Highway Patrol and Department of Public Safety for 24 years.

He was 50 and was survived by his wife and two daughters. 
Headshot of Bruce A. Petersen

Bruce A. Petersen

Badge: 3536
Residence: Taylor
End of Watch: October 20, 1987

Officer Bruce Petersen was in pursuit of a speeding vehicle on State Route 61 near Concho when his patrol vehicle struck another car causing it to leave the roadway and strike a large tree.

Officer Petersen had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for two and a-half years.

He was 30 and was survived by his pregnant wife and three sons.
Headshot of Richard Stratman

Richard Stratman

Badge: 1622
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: October 2, 1983

Officer/Paramedic Stratman, along with Pilot McNeff, in a departmental helicopter, were involved in a crash as the two were returning from their 30th mission that day. The pair had just finished transporting a pregnant woman, who was stranded by floodwaters, to a Tucson hospital. The Bell Jet Ranger helicopter crashed into a flooded cotton field near Marana. The two officers died in the accident. Although the exact cause was never determined, the official report lists several possibilities: pilot error, bad weather or an aircraft failure.

Officer/Paramedic Stratman had been a DPS Explorer as a teenager and eventually folllowed his dream to become a DPS Officer. He had served with the Department of Public Safety for nine years.

He was 27 and survived by his parents.
Here's a concise alt tag for the image: Black and white photo of a young man.

Thomas McNeff

Badge: 1758
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: October 2, 1983

Officer/Pilot Thomas McNeff, who was piloting a DPS helicopter with Officer/Paramedic Stratman on board, was involved in a crash as the two were returning from their 30th mission that day. The pair had just finished transporting a pregnant woman, who was stranded by floodwaters, to a Tucson hospital. The Bell Jet Ranger helicopter crashed into a flooded cotton field near Marana. The two officers died in the accident. Although the exact cause was never determined, the official report lists several possibilities: pilot error, bad weather or an aircraft failure.

Officer/Pilot McNeff had been with the Department of Public Safety for eight years.

He was 36 and was survived by his wife and infant daughter.
Headshot of William H. Murie

William H. Murie

Badge: 721
Residence: Flagstaff
End of Watch: November 19, 1980

Officer Murie was en route to Phoenix from Flagstaff on Nov. 16 when he stopped just north of Phoenix on Interstate 17 to assist at a crash scene. He was struck by a passing vehicle, crushing his legs and a wrist. Complications resulting from these injuries led to his death three days later, on Nov. 19, 1980. Officer Murie was an Army Veteran and had served with the Phoenix Police Department five years. He had also served with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office for two years.

Officer Murie had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for seven years.

He was 31 and survived by his wife, three-year-old twin daughters and a twin brother, also an officer with the Department of Public Safety.
Headshot of John C. Walker

John C. Walker

Badge: 150
Residence: Tucson
End of Watch: November 30, 1979

Officer John C. Walker was shot and killed while sitting in his car during an undercover narcotics operation at Tucson International Airport. The suspect was later apprehended with Officer Walker's flash-roll of money in his possession. The suspect was convicted of Officer Walker's murder, sentenced to life and died in prison.

Officer Walker had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol/Department of Public Safety for nineteen years.

He was 46 and survived by his wife and two daughters.
Headshot of Noah M. (Mack) Merrill

Noah M. (Mack) Merrill

Badge: 695
Residence: Benson
End of Watch: December 11, 1978

During a traffic stop on Interstate 10, eight miles east of Benson, Officer Merrill was struck by a passing tractor-trailer. When the vehicle was stopped in New Mexico the driver stated he was not aware he had hit anything. No charges were filed.

Officer Merrill had served with the Department of Public Safety for eight years.

He was 33 and survived by his wife and three children.
Headshot of Gregory A. Diley

Gregory A. Diley

Badge: 1442
Residence: Kingman
End of Watch: December 2, 1977

Officer Gregory A. Diley was returning to Kingman following a narcotics investigation when he was killed in a one-vehicle crash west of Kingman on Interstate 40. It is believed one of the tires on his vehicle experienced a blowout, causing the car to overturn. The death of Officer Diley, who was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Bureau at DPS, was the first outside the Highway Patrol Bureau.

Officer Diley had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for four years.

He was 28 and was survived by his wife who was expecting their first child.
Headshot of Alan H. Hansen

Alan H. Hansen

Badge: 204
Residence: Kingman
End of Watch: July 19, 1973

Officer Hansen was severely injured in Kingman when a railroad tanker loaded with butane exploded. The explosion and ensuing fire covered two acres of the Kingman Business District. Officer Hansen suffered severe burns while trying to rescue another victim. He was taken to the Kingman hospital where he died from his injuries two weeks later. In all, 13 people were killed and 112 were injured in the afternoon explosion.

Officer Hansen had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol/Department of Public Safety for twelve years.

He was 34 and survived by his wife, son and daughter.

 
Headshot of Don A. Beckstead

Don A. Beckstead

Badge: 409
Residence: Houck
End of Watch: February 7, 1971

Officer Don Beckstead was shot and killed after stopping a suspect who had just shot and killed Officer Keeton minutes earlier. It is believed that Officer Beckstead was not aware of the shooting involving Officer Keeton. Officer Beckstead died two days later in a Gallup, New Mexico, hospital. After shooting the two DPS officers, the suspect kidnapped and killed another person before New Mexico authorities shot and killed him.

Officer Beckstead had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol/Department of Public Safety for two years.

He was 28 and survived by his wife and two sons.
Headshot of James L. Keeton

James L. Keeton

Badge: 310
Residence: Navajo
End of Watch: February 5, 1971

Officer James L. Keeton was shot to death with his own weapon by a suspect in the rape and murder of a 13-year-old California girl. Keeton, who lost his pistol during an altercation with the suspect, was shot after stopping him for a traffic violation on Interstate 40, 12 miles west of the New Mexico state line. the suspect then fled the scene and was pulled over a few minutes later by Officer Beckstead who is believed to have been unaware of the previous stop or fatal shooting.

Officer Keeton had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol/Department of Public Safety for two years.

He was 27 and survived by his wife.
Headshot of Gilbert A. (Gib) Duthie

Gilbert A. (Gib) Duthie

Badge: 143
Residence: Mesa
End of Watch: September 5, 1970

Officer Gilbert A. Duthie drowned when his patrol car was washed away by flood waters when Sycamore Creek, near Sunflower, Arizona, overflowed. Officer Duthie was responding to assist stranded citizens due to the flooding. He was driving on the Beeline Highway and was unable see that a portion of the bridge had been washed out. His patrol car left the roadway, went into the creek, and was washed away. A monument in his honor was placed at the north side of the bridge.

Officer Duthie had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol/Department of Public Safety for 10 years.

He was 39 and survived by his wife and son.
Headshot of Paul E. Marston

Paul E. Marston

Badge: 138
Residence: Prescott
End of Watch: June 9, 1969

Patrolman Marston was shot and killed by prison escapee Danny Lee Eckard during a gun battle on a farm in Chino Valley. Eckard, nicknamed the Desert Fox by the Arizona media for his ability to escape and survive in the desert, was then fatally shot by Patrolman Ron Mayes, who was riding with Marston.

Patrolman Marston had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol for five years.

He was 31 years old and survived by his wife and two children.
Headshot of Louis O. Cochran

Louis O. Cochran

Badge: 59
Residence: Yuma
End of Watch: December 22, 1958

Patrolman Cochran was killed while stopped along U.S. 80 at milepost 71 east of Dateland. His patrol car was struck from behind by a vehicle whose driver, also killed in the accident, was under the influence. The collision caused the patrol car to burst into flames. It was the first death in the 27-year history of the Arizona Highway Patrol.

Patrolman Cochran had served with the Arizona Highway Patrol for nearly 10 years.

He was 45 and survived by his wife and two children.