Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch: Monday, March 3, 2014
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 21 years
Badge Number: 5624
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 3, 2014
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective John Hobbs was shot and killed as he and other members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team attempted to serve a felony warrant on a man who had recently been released from prison and was wanted in connection to a murder.
The subject fled in a vehicle and was pursued by the detectives until crashing at the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The subject then fled on foot. He opened fire on the detectives as they pursued him, striking Detective Hobbs and a second detective. Despite being mortally wounded, Detective Hobbs was able to return fire and fatally shot the subject.
Both wounded detectives were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition. Detective Hobbs succumbed to his wounds at the hospital.
Detective Hobbs had served with the Phoenix Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.