DPS trooper shot, killed, 2 more wounded along Phoenix freeway

PHOENIX — One Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper was killed and two others were injured in a shooting on Interstate 10 late Wednesday in a Phoenix suburb.

Trooper Tyler Edenhofer, 24, was shot to death after a suspect got hold of an officer’s gun during a struggle with the man, who’d been throwing things at cars on Interstate 10 in Avondale.

The suspect was later identified as 20-year-old Isaac King, who has a history of mental illness, authorities said. The Avondale resident was in custody.

These are photos of the suspect and injured/killed troopers…@KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/kXHtxOwf7u

— Kathy Cline (@ClineKathleen) July 26, 2018

Around 10:20 p.m. officers responded to calls about the man, department Director Col. Frank Milstead said Thursday.

A lone officer reached the scene, then two more. Goodyear police officers came to assist.

The officers then began to try taking King into custody. A fight with King lasted about eight minutes, Milstead said.

During the fight, King allegedly got ahold of trooper Sean Rodecap’s weapon and fired two shots, one of which was the fatal shot.

It was not clear how King got ahold of the gun. It was in a leather holster that was secured to his belt, Milstead said.

A second trooper, Dalin Dorris, was shot in the shoulder. Rodecap also suffered minor injuries in the fight.

Both were released from Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear a few hours later.

King was then arrested.

“The DPS family is in mourning … lives have been shattered and ruined and we’re all in a little bit of a state of shock this morning,” Milstead said.

Edenhofer graduated from the academy in May and was field training.

Friends said the Navy veteran joined the department because he wanted to keep helping people.

I-10 eastbound stayed closed between Litchfield Road and Avondale Boulevard until 6:30 a.m.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags be flown at half-staff on state buildings until sunset Friday in honor of Edenhofer.

“This tragedy is an all too real and heartbreaking reminder of the harm our heroic law enforcement officers face each and everyday for the safety and wellbeing of Arizonans, and for peace in our communities,” Ducey said in a statement.

The tragedy last night is a heartbreaking reminder of the harm our law enforcement officers face everyday for the safety and wellbeing of Arizonans. We mourn Trooper Edenhofer and pray for the strength and recovery of Trooper Dorris and Trooper Rodecap. pic.twitter.com/BAAeEkaomF

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 26, 2018

Milstead said during a press conference on Thursday that King had a history of mental health issues and had been taking medication for anxiety and depression. He did not have a criminal history.

An investigation is ongoing, Milstead said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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