Best friend honors fallen Phoenix officer
May 21, 2013, 9:06 AM | Updated: 9:07 am
PHOENIX — Phoenix Police Det. Jeff Clement is honoring his best friend by speaking about his character and telling the public there is something it can do.
According to investigators, 29-year-old officer Daryl Raetz was handling a DUI case at 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning 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.
Clement describes Raetz, whom he had known since elementary school, as a man who would do anything for his wife and daughter.
“He loved to put bad guys in jail and he didn’t mind risking his own safety to do that,” Clement said.
There is a bank account set up for Raetz family. The account, Hands Across Arizona for the benefit of Daryl Raetz, is at any Midfirst Bank, said Sgt. Steve Martos.
A joint benefit is being held for the families of Raetz and firefighter Brad Harper, who was also killed in the line of duty this past weekend.
The benefit will run 11 a.m.-1 a.m. May 22-23 at the Sheraton Resort Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap Road. For additional information, call Carole Bartholemeaux at 602-404-8879.
