Phoenix PD officer killed in hit-and-run collision, vehicle found
May 19, 2013, 8:57 AM | Updated: May 20, 2013, 6:11 am
PHOENIX — Early Sunday morning, an officer with the Phoenix Police Department was killed after a serious injury collision near 51st Avenue and Cambridge Avenue.
According to investigators, 29-year-old officer Daryl Raetz was handling a DUI case at 3:30 a.m. when he was hit by an oncoming SUV. Raetz, a six-year police veteran, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
He was married with one child and also served in the Iraqi War.
“I’ll be very honest with you it’s very difficult for me to even find the words to describe the sorrow in my heart and the sorrow I feel for my officers and their families,” Phoenix PD Chief Daniel Garcia said. “It just tears me apart.
“It’s a tragic event for us, but together we’ll get through this. We have to get through this. It’s what we have to do.”
According to Sgt. Tommy Thompson of the Phoenix PD, the vehicle, described as a green Ford Expedition, was located Sunday afternoon by the Surprise Police Department.
Investigators are still working to figure out who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Phoenix Police Department at (602)-262-6141.
Silent Witness is also offering a $5,000 reward, so if you would like to remain anonymous, please call (480)-WITNESS or (480)-TESTIGO.
