Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 1423
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: May 23, 2003
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years
Deputy Sheriff David Wargo succumbed to severe head injuries sustained nine years earlier when he was dragged by a vehicle in a supermarket parking lot at the intersection of 83rd Avenue and Camelback Road.
Deputy Wargo was working an off duty detail at the supermarket when he encountered a man parking in a prohibited area and instructed him to move. The subject attempted to flee the scene while Deputy Wargo held onto the truck. The driver reached speeds of up to 50 mph before Deputy Wargo fell from the truck and struck his head on the pavement.
He suffered severe head injuries as a result and was left in a vegetative state until passing away nine years later.
The driver of the vehicle was convicted of several charges after the initial incident and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Deputy Wargo had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He is survived by his wife and three children.