Arizona Officer Dies During Foot Pursuit
An El Mirage, Arizona police officer died after experiencing a medical incident during a foot pursuit Tuesday morning.
Officer Paul Lazinsky was chasing 14-year-old suspect wanted on a warrant near Grand Avenue and Greenway Road when he suffered a seizure, according to KNXV-TV.
"Officer Lazinsky suffered some type of seizure, witnessed by one of our employees who saw him go to the ground," El Mirage Police Chief Terry McDonald told reporters. "First aid was administered, fire was called."
The 58-year-old officer was 10 months away from retiring after serving 17 years as a police officer. He also served 20 years in the Army.
"Paul was an ace. He was one of those guys if you had a job to do, you gave it to Paul, I don't care if it was to take care of the command van or serve on a retirement board," McDonald said. "He was also the representative of his officer's association. He worked with officers on employment problems or disciplinary issues."
Lazinsky leaves behind his wife, Tammy, and their three children.
Funeral arrangements are pending.