Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
End of Watch Wednesday, December 9, 1998
Add to My HeroesJuan Nieblas Cruz
Officer Juan Cruz was killed when his patrol car was rear-ended while he was investigating another accident on I-10, at the exit for Ruthrauff Road in Tucson.
He was sitting in his patrol car, which was parked in the left lane with emergency lights activated when the crash curred. The patrol car burst into flames and, as another officer attempted to free him, a small explosion occurred.
The vehicle that struck him had driven through a line of flares and didn't slow down before the impact. The driver of that vehicle, who turned 21 the day before the crash, was taken to a local hospital and a homicide investigation was started. The driver ad a BAC of .168. She plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Officer Cruz had been with the department for 17 years. He is survived by five children and fiancee. He was planning on being remarried only two weeks after the incident.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 17 years
- Badge 3111
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
- Offender Sentenced to 11 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 34 ReflectionsJuan, I have not left a reflection yet. I did not know what to say. My friend Ed , worked with you. I remember you sitting on I 10 near Miracle Mile. You wore your vest european style. I went to the police academy in 2001 in Snowflake, Arizona and I think of you often. My lunch box has 3111 and December 9, 1998 on it. VON CON DIAS.
Mark
December 11, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Master Police Officer Christine Peters
Greenbelt Police Department, MD
EOW: January 14, 2021
Conservation Officer Steven Reighard
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, IA
EOW: January 8, 2021
Police Officer Melton "Fox" Gore
Horry County Police Department, SC
EOW: January 12, 2021
Sergeant Frederick H. "Butch" Cameron
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, VA
EOW: January 12, 2021
Officer Troy Allen Adkins
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: December 31, 2020
Unit Team Supervisor Gabe Morales
Kansas Department of Corrections, KS
EOW: December 22, 2020
Lieutenant William Lyle Gardner
Denver City Police Department, TX
EOW: January 7, 2021
Deputy Sheriff Jane Alice Ash
Effingham County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: December 16, 2020
Sergeant Randall Sims
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: January 3, 2021