Arizona Police Officer Struck and Killed

Jan. 9, 2019
Salt River Police Officer Clayton Townsend had stopped a vehicle and was standing on the shoulder of the Loop 101 Tuesday evening when he was hit by a passing vehicle.

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- A Salt River Police officer was killed after being struck after he stopped a vehicle Tuesday evening.

Officer Clayton Townsend had stopped a vehicle and was standing on the shoulder of the Loop 101 around 6 p.m. when he was hit by a passing vehicle, according to KNXV-TV.

Townsend was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Further details about the circumstances surrounding the crash were not immediately available, though a Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson said the driver who hit the officer was cooperating with detectives.

Salt River Police Chief Karl Auerbach described Townsend as "one of the most dedicated, loyal, and committed officers."

The five-year veteran of the force left behind a wife and a 10-month-old child.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Sponsored Recommendations

Build Your Real-Time Crime Center

March 19, 2024
A checklist for success

Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

July 28, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

June 6, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

Feb. 8, 2023
Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!