Southern Arizona police officer dies; suspect in custody

PHOENIX — A southern Arizona officer who was shot while responding to a carjacking call on Friday has died, the department announced.

On 4/27/18, at approximately 14:41 hrs, NPD officers responded to the area of 2900th Block of N. Grand Ave, regarding an armed carjacking incident. Suspect was shot at the officer and was later taken into custody. Ofc. Jesus Cordova succumbed to his injuries. We for ask prayers

— Nogales Police (@NogalesPoliceAz) April 28, 2018

“We are mourning as a department and as a community,” Nogales Police Chief Roy Bermudez said.

Nogales Ofc. Jesus Cordova was critically injured near the Villa’s Market in the border city around 2:30 p.m.

Cordova was flown to a Tucson hospital shortly after the shooting.

A suspect — later identified as David Ernesto Murillo, 28, of Tempe — was in custody following a pursuit that involved two alleged carjackings and a police standoff, according to Nogales International.

Lt. Carlos Jimenez with the Nogales Police Department said there was “an exchange of gunfire” after the officer attempted a traffic stop around 3 p.m. on Friday.

The publication said Cordova’s patrol car had multiple bullet holes in it, including three bullet holes in the front windshield and a bullet hole in the car’s body, and multiple windows were shot out.

Law enforcement officials said in a Facebook post that no other suspects were at large.

In honor of Cordova, Gov. Doug Ducey ordered all flags at state buildings to be at half-staff Monday.

“Officer Cordova was a dedicated public servant and Arizona mourns his loss,” Ducey said in a press release. “This tragedy reminds us of the sacrifices that police officers make daily to keep our communities safe.

“My prayers and condolences go out to Officer Cordova’s family and loved ones and the entire Nogales community.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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