Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
End of Watch: Friday, August 31, 1990
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 2916
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: August 31, 1990
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 21 years
Sergeant John Blaser and Officer David Gabrielli were killed when they were struck by a vehicle while investigating an earlier drunk driving related accident on U.S. 89, 1-1/2 miles south of Valencia Road in Tucson.
As they were standing in the median a car driven by another drunk driver swerved across two lanes of traffic and struck them both.
The driver of that vehicle had a BAC of .25. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Sergeant Blaser had served with the agency for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.