Officer Erik Hite
June 2, 2008

Officer Hite was fatally shot in the line of duty on June 1, 2008.

Officer Patrick K. Hardesty
May 26, 2003

Officer Hardesty responded to a hit-and-run collision in the 800 block of east Ft. Lowell. A short time after his arrival, Officer Hardesty made contact with the suspect. A scuffle ensued, and Officer Hardesty was fatally shot.

Officer Jeffrey Ross
February 18, 1982

Officer Ross was leading a team of narcotics officers into the office of the Ranch House Bar on north Casa Grande Highway when the bar manager, Clifford Hamilton, shot him in the chest. Hamilton was shot and killed as officers returned fire. Officer Ross died within an hour of the shooting.

Officer James Smith
October 28, 1980

Officer Smith was on routine patrol in the vicinity of Speedway Boulevard and Plumer Avenue when a motorist grazed the rear of his motorcycle. Officer Smith’s motorcycle was thrown into the opposing lane of traffic, where he was struck head-on. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officer Barry Headricks
October 28, 1974

Officer Headricks was participating in a daylight narcotics raid at an apartment at 1150 E. 8th Street. He was shot three times by Rufus Mincey and died within one hour. Officer Headricks wounded Mincey, who recovered and was imprisoned.

Officer Robert Cummins
September 7, 1936

Officer Cummins had traveled to Phoenix with a group of Tucson motorcycle officers to escort an American Legion convention parade. As he was beginning his return to Tucson, his motorcycle skidded on loose gravel at the intersection of Van Buren and 16th Street. He sustained a skull fracture and died three days later.

Officer William Katzenstein
July 26, 1902

Officer Katzenstein was in the vicinity of Broadway and Meyer Street when a fire broke out. He responded to assist as an officer and also as the elected Assistant Fire Chief. As he was opening a hydrant, he was shot five times by Teodoro Elias. Elias was exacting revenge for a recent arrest of his close friend by Officer Katzenstein.

Officer William Elliott
July 3, 1892

Officer Elliott was patrolling Meyer Street between McCormick and Cushing just after midnight when Santos Alvarado, a notorious criminal, confronted him. Alvarado drew a knife and attacked Officer Elliott. The officer sustained a stab wound through the heart and died at the scene. Alvarado was shot and killed by Officer Elliott.