Deputy Sheriff Jason Patrick Lopez

Deputy Sheriff Jason Patrick Lopez | Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
Deputy Sheriff Jason Patrick Lopez

Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Arizona

End of Watch Friday, May 4, 2001

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Jason Patrick Lopez

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.

Bio

  • Age 26
  • Tour 6 years
  • Badge 613

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Convicted of murder
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It was a Friday, just an ordinary Friday like many others, until about 1900 hours, then the tones went off for the Fire Department, Oh Crap This one is bad the tones sounded twice Then the call

OFFICER DOWN

As a member of both the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona City Fire District I responded to the station and then drove the ambulance to the call.

I will never forget pulling up and seeing your car there, and the blood on it and you laying in the street. I did everything that I had been trained as an EMT to do, and never before have I worked so hard on a patient. I remember the Southwest Ambulance crew that showed up – Friends of mine and I know that they worked as hard as they could. I remember Angelique’s voice on the radio when I told her to have Airevac hurry up. (I didn’t use my sheriff’s office call on the radio when I was on a call with ACFD – I did that night).

I remember refusing to accept the doctors call and telling Rick that we were not giving up!

I remember Sheriff Vanderpool kneeling in prayer at the scene and Sgt. Degone stopping me from taking a shotgun from a cruiser and going to where the hostage situation was unfolding and then asking me to tape off the crime scene.

I remember all of these things and many more from that night. I still can see the scene, I still hear the call, though not as often any more.

What I also remember are the good times I had working with you and the joking around, the responding to calls together.

20 years ago today we lost you, and Heaven gained an angel.

Walk the streets of Heaven Jason, you have done your time in hell.

In Continual Memory Of
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Jason Patrick Lopez Bravo 613
E.O.W. May 4, 2001

Lt. Roy D. Polmanteer #713 (Retired)
Pinal County Sheriff's Office

May 4, 2021

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