Man sentenced to over 35 years in prison for killing DPS Trooper Tyler Edenhofer, other crimes

PHOENIX — A West Valley man was sentenced to more than 35 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to killing an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper.

Isaac Damon King, 27, pleaded guilty in January to fatally shooting Tyler Edenhofer on July 25, 2018, during an altercation on the side of Interstate 10 near Dysart Road in Avondale.

King was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder and 10 1/2 years for aggravated assault. The sentences will be served consecutively.

King will receive credit for time served.

Details of shooting that killed DPS Trooper Tyler Edenhofer

On the day of the shooting, several people called authorities about a man walking on the side of the freeway and throwing rocks at cars.

Three DPS troopers responded to the scene: Edenhofer, his field training instructor, Sean Rodecap, and Dalin Dorris.

Court documents said Dorris was the first trooper to arrive at the scene and was joined minutes later by Edenhofer and Rodecap.

All three officers got into an altercation with King, who grabbed a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol from a holster on Rodecap’s belt.

King then fired two shots. One of the shots struck Edenhofer in the collarbone and the other hit Dorris in the shoulder.

Edenhofer was pronounced dead at the scene. Dorris was hospitalized and has recovered.

King was also hospitalized and was taken into custody after he was released.

Court documents said King was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident. He also had a history of mental health issues and was on medication for anxiety and depression.

DPS said that King had no prior criminal history.

Suspect accused of killing Tyler Edenhofer changes plea

King was originally charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault, three counts of endangerment and resisting arrest.

While he initially pleaded not guilty, he later changed his tune.

In January, King pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated assault, according to ABC15.

Edenhofer, who was 24 years old, was a Navy veteran and had graduated from the highway patrol academy just two months before his death.

He was posthumously given a Medal of Valor by then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey in December 2019.

Related

DPS trooper shot, killed, 2 more wounded along Phoenix freewaySuspect in Arizona DPS trooper's shooting death booked into jailArizona law enforcement reaches out to DPS after trooper killed on dutySuspect under influence in Arizona DPS shooting, court documents sayMilstead: 'Don't see anything done incorrectly' in DPS trooper shootingPedestrian left in critical condition after hit-and-run in west Phoenix