Officer killed after being hit by car in west Phoenix
Mar 21, 2019, 9:38 AM | Updated: Mar 22, 2019, 6:34 am
(Rutherford Family Photo)
(Rutherford Family Photo)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix Police Department officer was killed after being struck by a vehicle in west Phoenix on Thursday.
Officer Paul Rutherford, 51, was responding to a separate collision on foot and was hit by a Ford Expedition while crossing Indian School Road, according to Sgt. Tommy Thompson.
Rutherford died at a nearby hospital, where he was taken in extremely critical condition.
The driver, a 40-year-old female, stayed on the scene of the crash. It was determined she was not impaired.
Today, Officer Paul Rutherford #6403 was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a vehicle. Officer Rutherford had served the citizens of Phoenix for almost 23 years. We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/QOBW1pJeZP
— Phoenix Police Department (@phoenixpolice) March 21, 2019
“Our community has a reason to mourn because once again one of our officers was killed in the line of duty,” Police Chief Jeri Williams told reporters.
“This is just another example of the inherent dangers our officers face each and every day.”
NOW, @phoenixpolice announce Officer Paul Rutherford, 51, died while investigating a crash. He was 22year veteran. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/IDyEhKcvDk
— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) March 21, 2019
Vehicles @phoenixpolice parked outside emergency room, after Officer Paul Rutherford, 51, died after a car hit him during a separate crash investigation. UPDATES @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/TkfA5WTG2t
— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) March 21, 2019
Gov. Doug Ducey said in a tweet that his “deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Phoenix Police Officer Paul Rutherford.”
Ducey’s office said flags would be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday, as well as on Rutherford’s internment date.
Rutherford was with the department for 23 years. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
“I was heartbroken on hearing the news of Officer Paul Rutherford’s passing,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. “This loss, once again, reminds us of the dangers our first responders face on a daily basis to keep us safe.
“I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones as they mourn with the loss of their hero. The thoughts of everyone in Phoenix are with his wife, his two sons, the entire Rutherford family, and the Phoenix Police Department.”
It was the department’s 39th line of duty death.
Our hearts are heavy this morning as we learn of the death of Phoenix PD Officer Paul Rutherford, a 22 year veteran of the department. There are no words to express what a loss like this means to all of us who work in law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/KPaTXWhetV
— Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (@mcsoaz) March 21, 2019
The crash occurred near 75th Avenue and Indian School Road around 8:15 a.m.
Indian School Road was closed from 75th to 79th avenues.
Authorities are investigating.
The crash occurred shortly before another on-duty Phoenix officer was injured in a traffic accident with a vehicle near 16th Street and Missouri Avenue.
A Salt River PD officer was killed in January after being struck by a driver who told officers he was distracted.
Officer Clayton Townsend was conducting a traffic stop on Loop 101 near McDowell Road when 40-year-old Jerry Sanstead allegedly struck him.
Townsend was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
