Scottsdale Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Add to My HeroesThomas Alan Hontz
Sergeant Thomas Hontz was killed following a training exercise when a piece of equipment exploded at about 1700 hours.
He was conducting SWAT exercises at two vacant homes when a device used to puncture a wall and pump tear gas into a room exploded. 14 other officers and firefighters from several agencies were injured as a result of the explosion.
Sergeant Hontz had been employed with the Scottsdale Police Department for 24 years, and was one of the officers responsible for the creation of the agency's SWAT team.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 24 years
- Badge 273
Incident Details
- Cause Training accident
Most Recent Reflection
View all 81 ReflectionsIt's hard to believe it was 16 years ago yesterday since you passed at our training in Gilbert. The knowledge that you shared with me still is with here and i thank you for that - you kept me safe. Please continue to look down upon us and we miss you.
Det Ben Felice (Retired)
Scottsdale, AZ Police Dept
February 21, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths
Special Agent John Bost, III
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, US
EOW: July 28, 2020
Sergeant Steven Splan
Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Safety, MI
EOW: August 2, 2020
Police Officer Corey Pendergrass
Lauderhill Police Department, FL
EOW: July 26, 2020
Master Sergeant Henry Turner
Louisiana Department of Corrections, LA
EOW: July 18, 2020
Investigator Mark Brown
Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, TX
EOW: July 25, 2020
Border Patrol Agent Agustin Aguilar, Jr.
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: July 25, 2020
Trooper Caleb Starr
Michigan State Police, MI
EOW: July 31, 2020
Investigator Donald K. Sumner
Patton State Hospital Police Department, CA
EOW: July 14, 2020
Officer Roel De La Fuente
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: July 13, 2020