Fallen Heroes

From 1928 to the present the Phoenix Police Department has lost 34 Officers in the line of duty.

Four other Phoenix Police Officers have lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions travelling either to or from work; they are:

Officer Scott Smith, January 3, 1997
Officer Tim Landers, April 20, 1997
Officer Darrell Yoos, December, 22, 2004
Officer Jonathan Stuart, August 11, 2007

Haze Burch
End of Watch, February 5, 1925

On February 5th, 1925, Officer Haze Burch became the first Phoenix Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Officer Burch was shot by two men attempting to siphon gasoline from a car. Officer Burch died the following day. The assailants were later identified as two fugitives from Oklahoma wanted in the murder of a deputy sheriff in Texas. Governor W.P. Hunt and the city of Phoenix each offered rewards for the assailants who were later captured. Officer Burch was survived by his wife and three young children. It would be twenty-seven years before another officer was killed in the line of duty.

 

 

Walter H. Stewart
End of Watch February 19, 1952

On February 19th, 1952, Motorcycle Officer Walter Stewart was killed when a truck turned in front of his police motorcycle and he swerved to avoid a collision. The motorcycle overturned and Officer Stewart died of head injuries. The driver fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with negligent homicide. Soon after this accident, all Phoenix motorcycle officers were required to wear helmets while on duty. Officer Stewart was thirty years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and two young children

 

Dale C. Stone
End of Watch, December 28, 1970

On December 28th, 1970, Motorcycle Officer Dale Stone was killed while responding to the emergency call from Officer Bluhm who had been shot. Officer Stone drove through the intersection at 7th Avenue and Roosevelt and was struck by a vehicle with an impaired driver. The force of the impact caused Officer Stone to slide underneath another vehicle where he died. Officer Stone was a former Marine and had been a member of the Phoenix Police Department for fourteen months. He was survived by his wife.

Albert R. Bluhm
End of Watch, December 28, 1970

On December 28th, 1970, Officer Albert R. Bluhm was shot and killed after stopping a stolen pickup. The suspects fired upon the officer as they hid in the camper shell of the truck. Officer Bluhm was struck three times and died of his wounds while attempting to radio his position to the dispatcher. A citizen notified the radio dispatcher of the dying officer’s location while other officers raced to his assistance. Officer Bluhm was forty years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his seventeen-year-old son.

Quincy Clay Haywood
End of Watch, November 22, 1971

On November 22nd, 1971, Motorcycle Officer Quincy Haywood was killed when a truck turned in front of his police motorcycle. The first officers on the scene rushed him to a nearby hospital where he died. Ironically, less than one year earlier, Officer Haywood had been following behind Officer Dale Stone who also died in a similar collision. Officer Haywood was twenty-nine years old at the time of his death and a four year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two young sons.

Michael D. Hemschmeyer
End of Watch, November 2, 1973

On November 2nd, 1973, Officer Hemschmeyer was killed in a traffic accident while responding to another officer’s call for assistance. A sedan that had pulled over for the officer’s emergency lights was struck from behind by a garbage truck. The force of the collision threw the vehicle into the path of the approaching patrol car, killing the officer. Officer Hemschmeyer was thirty-two years old at the time of his death and a four year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department.

Gilbert R. Chavez
End of Watch, June 16, 1975

On June 16th, 1975, Officer Chavez was shot to death by a juvenile during a burglary of a Phoenix radiator business. Officer Chavez had entered the business after dispatchers received an anonymous tip that a burglary was in progress. The officer located the suspect and a struggle ensued. Officer Chavez was critically wounded but managed to radio for help before dying. Officer Chavez was twenty-two years old at the time of his death and an officer just over one year. He was survived by his wife.

John F. MacInnis
End of Watch, February 23, 1976

On February 23nd, 1976, Police Guard MacInnis died of a heart attack while in foot pursuit of a suspect at the Sky Harbor International Airport. A passerby stopped to assist the guard. He was driven to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. He had been a police guard for nine years. Police Guard MacInnis was survived by his wife, thirteen children and five grandchildren.

Arthur E. Del Gaudio jr.
End of Watch, April 22, 1975

On April 22nd, 1976, Officer Del Gaudio was killed while in the pursuit of an impaired and reckless driver. The officer collided with another police car and then careened into the wall of a home. His death was instrumental in persuading the State Legislature to enact the Unlawful Flight statue. Officer Del Gaudio was twenty-six at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife who was five months pregnant.

Ignacio G. Conchos
End of Watch, July 1, 1982

On July 1st, 1982, Officer Conchos and his partner, John Davis, entered a Phoenix bar in search of a bank robbery suspect. Both officers were mortally wounded when the suspect began shooting inside the bar. Officer Conchos died a short time later. Officer Davis died one month after the shooting. The Veterans of Foreign War Post 720 had named Officer Conchos the department’s outstanding policeman. Officer Conchos was thirty-nine years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and four children.

John R. Davis
End of Watch, August 2, 1982

On July 1st, 1982, Officer Davis and his partner, Ignacio Conchos, entered a Phoenix bar in search of a bank robbery suspect. Both officers were mortally wounded when the suspect began shooting inside the bar. Officer Conchos died a short time later. Officer Davis died one month after the shooting. He was a twelve year veteran of the department and a member of the Robbery Detail. Officer Davis was forty-eight years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Kenneth E. Campbell
End of Watch, January 29, 1984

On January 29th, 1984, Officer Campbell was killed while in pursuit of a speeding motorcycle. The accident occurred when his patrol car skidded out of control and collided with another vehicle. Officer Campbell had been a member of the Phoenix Police Department for three years. He was twenty-eight years old at the time of his death. Officer Campbell was survived by his wife and young sons.

Errol Rusty Hawkins
End of Watch, April 24, 1984

On April 24th, 1984, Officer Hawkins was killed by a passing pickup truck. He was on a nighttime undercover assignment attempting to cross a freeway frontage road when the accident occurred. Officer Hawkins helped establish a hostage/barricade negotiations unit and was a negotiator in hostage situations. He was thirty-four years old at the time of his death and a twelve year veteran. Officer Hawkins was survived by his wife and two young children.

Robert L. Polmanteer
End of Watch, May 4, 1984

On May 4th, 1984, Motorcycle Officer Polmanteer was killed in a head on collision with a van that turned in front of his motorcycle two weeks after Officer Hawkins death. Officer Polmanteer had been a police officer for fifteen years, five of which were with the Phoenix Police Department. He was thirty-seven years old at the time of his death. Officer Polmanteer was survived by his wife and three children.

Kevin W. Forsythe
End of Watch, September 7, 1984

On September 7th, 1984, Officer Forsythe was killed in a traffic accident while working off-duty. He was directing traffic when he was stuck by a semi-truck and killed. Officer Forsythe was a seven year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department and active in the police officers union. He was thirty-five years old at the time of his death. Officer Forsythe was survived by his wife, son and stepson.

John A. Robertson
End of Watch, November 19, 1984

On November 17th, 1984, Officer Robertson was shot and killed while working off-duty at a Phoenix motel. He was in a motel parking lot questioning a suspect in the robbery of two truck drivers when the suspect shot Officer Robertson. Officer Robertson died two days later on November 19th, 1984. He was an eight year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department and thirty-one years old at the time of his death. Officer Robertson was survived by his wife and two young children.

Robert T. Fike
End of Watch, January 8, 1986

On January 8th, 1986, Officer Fike was shot and killed by an assailant at point blank range as he stood beside his patrol car. Two citizens saw the officer lying in a parking lot beside his car and radioed the police dispatcher for help. Officer Fike had been “Officer of the Year” in the Squaw Peak Precinct in 1982. He was a ten year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department and forty-three years old at the time of his death. Officer Fike was survived by his wife and two young sons.

Kenneth L. Collings
End of Watch, May 27, 1988

On May 27th, 1988, Officer Collings was shot and killed while working off-duty at a bank. He had confronted the two suspects at the scene of the robbery when one of the suspects was able to shoot the officer and escape. Officer Collings died three hours later. One suspect was arrested while the other escaped to Mexico. This suspect was arrested by Mexican officials twelve years later in June of 2000 after being wounded in a shoot out with police. The suspect was extradited to U.S., stood trial & was convicted. Officer Collings was an eight year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department at the time of his death.

Patrick O. Briggs
End of Watch, June 20, 1990

On June 20th, 1990, Motorcycle Officer Briggs was killed while pursuing a speeding motorist. Officer Briggs swerved to avoid a motorist and struck a concrete median and tree. He had recently been chosen to be a Recruit Training Officer for the Phoenix Police Training Academy. Officer Briggs was twenty-seven years old at the time of death and had been a member of the department for seven years. He was survived by his parents.

John Wayne Domblisky
End of Watch, July 26, 1990

On July 26th, 1990, Sergeants Domblisky and Danny Tunney, were killed when struck head on by a car that had crossed the centerline. Sergeant Domblisky was forty-two years old at the time of his death and was a seventeen year veteran. He was an experienced detective and had been the recipient of sixteen commendations during the previous nine years. Sergeant Domblisky was survived by his wife and two children.

Danny L. Tunney
End of Watch, July 26, 1990

On July 26th, 1990, Sergeants Tunney and John Domblisky, were killed when struck head on by a car that had crossed the centerline. Sergeant Tunney was forty-seven years old at the time of his death and was a twenty-three year veteran. He had played an important role in forming the bicycle patrol in downtown Phoenix. Officer Tunney was survived by his wife and four children.

Leonard L. Kolodziej
End of Watch, September 4, 1991

On September 4th, 1991, Officer Kolodziej was shot and killed as he arrived on a 9-1-1 emergency call. He was struck several times by a barrage of bullets by a sniper barricaded in a Phoenix home. A construction worker was wounded and a cyclist was killed by the sniper. Officer Kolodziej was forty-three years old at the time of his death and was a nineteen year veteran. He was survived by his wife and three children.

David Marty Kieffer
End of Watch, May 21, 1997

On May 7, 1977, a drunk driver struck Sergeant Kieffer while at the intersection of 16th Street and McDowell. Sergeant Kieffer was rendered a quadriplegic from this accident. He continued to work for the department until retiring on September 13, 1991. On May 21, 1997, he died after succumbing to the injuries he had received twenty years earlier. Sergeant Kieffer was survived by his wife and children.

Marc Todd Atkinson
End of Watch, March 26, 1999

On March 26th, 1999, Officer Atkinson was following a suspicious vehicle with three male occupants in the area of 30th Avenue and Catalina. The driver lured Officer Atkinson into an industrial area where he was ambushed by gunfire and killed instantly. Officer Atkinson was a five year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. He was survived by his wife, and 7-month-old son.

Goelet Beuf
End of Watch, September 1, 1999

On November 1, 1999, Officer Beuf contacted two suspicious persons in the area of 23rd Avenue and Lone Cactus. One suspect, in possession of drugs and wanted on fugitive warrants, ran and was chased by the officer. A struggle ensued, both the suspect and Officer Beuf fell into the roadway and were struck by a semi-truck. Officer Beuf was killed instantly; the suspect survived the accident. Officer Beuf joined the Phoenix Police Department on June 1, 1998. Officer Beuf was survived by his wife and four children ages seven months, three, five and seven years.

Beryl Wayne Scott
End of Watch, September 10, 2004

On September 10, 2002, Officer Beryl Wayne" Scott was killed in a motor vehicle collision while en route to assist in an unrelated DUI/fatality investigation. Officer Scott was south bound on North 7th Street at Thunderbird when another driver pulled out in front of him. Officer Scott's motorcycle struck the drivers-side door of the vehicle and he was kill instantly. The other driver survived the accident. Officer Scott joined the Phoenix Police Department on November 19, 1991. He is survived by his wife, who was six months pregnant at the time of the accident. At the time of his death, Officer Scott was assigned as a motor officer and served as a liaison to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). Prior to joining the Phoenix Police Department, Officer Scott served as an officer for the El Mirage Police Department.

Don Schultz
End of Watch, May 12, 2004

On May 10, 2004 at approximately 3:00 pm, Officer Don R. Schultz, #4410, was participating in a Dive Team search for evidence in the canal near 19th Avenue and Hatcher. He came loose from his tender line for unknown reasons and was found lodged in a canal gate by other members of the Dive Team, who freed him. He was pulled from the water and taken to John C. Lincoln hospital where on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 7:10 PM, he passed away after being removed from life support.

Eric White
End of Watch, August 28, 2004

On August 28, 2004, at 1754 hours, officers responded to emergency radio traffic of a shooting at the Northern Pointe Apartments, 1905 W. Las Palmaritas (8200 N.). After evacuating surrounding apartments, officers attempted to make contact with the suspect. When they were unable to get a response, they kicked in the apartment door. Officer Eric White #7275 and Officer Jason Wolfe #7215, immediately, sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

Jason Wolfe
End of Watch, August 28, 2004

On August 28, 2004, at 1754 hours, officers responded to emergency radio traffic of a shooting at the Northern Pointe Apartments, 1905 W. Las Palmaritas (8200 N.). After evacuating surrounding apartments, officers attempted to make contact with the suspect. When they were unable to get a response, they kicked in the apartment door. Officer Jason Wolfe #7215 and Officer Eric White #7275, immediately sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

David Uribe
End of Watch, May 10, 2005

On May 10, 2005, Officer David Uribe #4276 made a traffic stop at 3400 West Cactus Road. While approaching the vehicle he was shot in the head and neck. As responding officers arrived, they found citizens rendering aid to the fallen officer. Officer Uribe was transported to John C Lincoln Hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Paul Salmon
End of Watch, November 20, 2005 

Officer Paul Salmon #8256 of South Mountain Precinct was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident at 3100 W Baseline Rd on November 28, 2005 at 1:00 am. He was responding to a domestic violence call shortly before a passerby saw the accident off of the roadway and called police. Officer Salmon was removed from his police car by Phoenix Fire and transported in extremely critical condition to St. Joseph's Hospital for medical care. He died on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 8:40 PM as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

George Valentino Cortez
End of Watch, July 27, 2007

At approximately 8:30 pm, Officer Cortez responded to a call that a man and woman were passing forged checks at a check-cashing business on 83rd Avenue, near Encanto Boulevard. Officer Cortez entered the business and was placing the male suspect in handcuffs when he drew a gun and shot Officer Cortez several times. Officer Cortez was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital where he died from his injuries. The suspects fled the scene, but were apprehended the next day. They were charged with capital first-degree murder, burglary and forgery.

Nicki (Nick) James Erfle
End of Watch, September 18, 2007

Officer Nick Erfle was shot after he and his partner approached three people for jaywalking and obstructing traffic on 24th Street, one block north of Thomas Road.  One man gave a fictitious name that had a misdemeanor warrant and as they attempted to take him into custody, the suspect drew a weapon and shot Officer Erfle in the face. He was rushed to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center where he died from his injuries an hour later.  The suspect then carjacked a vehicle and took the driver hostage. About an hour later, an unmarked special assignments unit spotted a car and suspect matching the carjacked vehicle's description.  They began surveillance and managed to box in the vehicle at 27th Avenue and McDowell Road. The suspect pointed his gun at the hostage and he was shot and killed by an officer.

 

Shane Figueroa
End of Watch, October 25, 2008

Officer Shane Figueroa was killed in an automobile collision while responding to a call.  Officer Figueroa was northbound on 19th Avenue near Roeser Road responding to a shots fired call when a truck turned in front of his patrol car. The impact spun the patrol car and sent it into a block wall. The officer was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center where he died from his injuries.  The truck driver was an illegal alien with four outstanding warrants and was arrested on manslaughter and aggravated assault charges. In June 2009, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to serve 16 years. A passenger in the truck was seriously injured.  Officer Figueroa had served the Phoenix Police Department for more than two years. He is survived by his wife and a 3-month-old child.