Deputy Sheriff Jason Patrick Lopez
Pinal County Sheriff's Department
Arizona
End of Watch: Friday, May 4, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 613

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, May 4, 2001
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Convicted of murder

Deputy Jason Lopez was shot and killed near Casa Grande, Arizona, when he attempted to serve a warrant.

During the encounter, the suspect began resisting, pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, and shot Deputy Lopez once in the throat and fled. Deputy Lopez was able to crawl back to his patrol car and attempted to radio for help. Responding officers became involved in a running gunfight with the suspect, who was wounded once before taking a hostage in a nearby residence. The hostage was able to escape after several hours and the suspect surrendered nine hours later.

The suspect was found guilty of first degree murder on October 8, 2003. The jury was not able to decide on the death penalty and a second jury had to be convened to decide the sentencing. That jury also was not able to decide on whether to sentence the suspect to death or 25 years to life in prison.

Deputy Lopez had been employed with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department for 6 years, and had been a deputy for 18 months. He is survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, and one-month-old child. Both of his parents are also employees of the sheriff's department.