Yavapai County Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Lopez Killed Arresting Theft Suspect
Yavapai County AZ June 29 2022
An Arizona sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot during a call Tuesday.
The shooting happened as Yavapai County Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Lopez was trying to take a suspect into suspect during a theft call in Cordes Lakes, KNVX-TV reports.
Lopez was shot during the incident, but details about what led to the shooting have not been released.
When other officers reached the scene, the sergeant was unresponsive.
He was airlifted to a hospital, where he later died surrounded by his family, according to the sheriff’s office.
The suspect was apprehended by authorities after he had barricaded himself in the area.
No details have been released on whether the suspect suffered any injuries or if the Lopez had returned fire. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is investigating the shooting.
Lopez, 51, served with the sheriff’s office for 14 years. He’s survived by a wife and two daughters.
“We are deeply heartbroken to announce that our deputy passed away this afternoon after being shot in the line of duty,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
