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