Retired Arizona deputy fatally shoots man who allegedly killed estranged wife
Oct 16, 2024, 11:51 AM
(Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Photo/via Faecbook)
PHOENIX — A retired Arizona deputy fatally shot a man who is believed to have killed his estranged wife in a domestic violence incident on Tuesday, authorities said.
The officer who intervened still serves as a reserve deputy after retiring from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO). A reserve deputy is an unpaid volunteer but meets the same training standards as a paid officer.
Authorities said the deputy became involved after hearing an altercation at a home near where he lives in Prescott’s Wildwood Estates area.
The husband and wife have been the subjects of multiple domestic violence investigations, YCSO said.
Why Arizona deputy fatally shot domestic violence suspect
Despite the reserve deputy’s efforts, the husband is believed to have shot his wife while she tried to escape the residence, YCSO said.
The deputy discharged his weapon to stop further threats from the husband, authorities said.
Both the wife and the husband were pronounced dead from their injuries.
The sheriff’s office asked the Arizona Department of Public Safety to oversee the investigation of this incident.
Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said he is grateful to authorities like the deputy who intervened.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the dedication from our men and women in uniform on and off duty,” Rhodes said in a Tuesday news release. “I would like to thank all of our law enforcement for putting themselves in harm’s way to protect this community we all love.”