Police Officer Albert Raymond Bluhm

Albert Raymond Bluhm

Police Officer Albert Bluhm was shot and killed around 6:30 p.m. after he stopped a stolen truck behind the Bali Hi Motel at 16th Avenue & Linden Street in Phoenix.

One of the two suspects opened fire as he hid in the camper shell of the truck. Officer Bluhm was shot three times and died while attempting to radio his position. A passing motorist notified the dispatcher of his location. Officer Bluhm was transported to Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased on arrival.

While en route to the shooting scene, Police Officer Dale Stone was killed in a motorcycle crash.

The suspects, both fugitives from Virginia and wanted in Utah in connection with the wounding of a state trooper, were arrested a week later in Cortez, Colorado, following a chase. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 7, 1973. He died in prison on November 15, 2006. His accomplice was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to five years to life.

Officer Bluhm was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and served with the Phoenix Police Department for eight years. He previously served with the Edina (Minnesota) Police Department for six years. He was survived by his teenage son and his parents.