Gilbert Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch Thursday, January 28, 2010
Add to My HeroesEric Lewis Shuhandler
Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle occupied by two males near the intersection of Val Vista and Baseline Roads, near the border with Mesa.
When Lieutenant Shuhandler approached the passenger side of the vehicle to contact the passenger, the passenger fired a single shot, striking Lieutenant Shuhandler in the head.
Two sergeants from the Mesa Police Department heard the shot and found Lieutenant Shuhandler at the same time as Gilbert police received a 911 call reporting the shooting. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wound.
The suspects were located several minutes later and a 50-mile high-speed chase began along Highway 60, with several units pursuing the pickup through Phoenix-area communities. The suspects fired several rounds and threw objects from their vehicle at the pursuing officers. The vehicle abruptly stopped in the town of Superior, and both suspects were wounded in an exchange of gunfire with officers from four agencies. Both suspects were arrested at the scene.
On October 14th, 2010, the driver was convicted of aggravated assault, drive-by shooting, unlawful flight, and sentenced to 107 years in prison. Lieutenant Shuhandler's killer was convicted of first-degree murder in an unrelated case and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on March 21st, 2012. He was charged with capital murder for killing Lieutenant Shuhandler.
Lieutenant Shuhandler had served with the Gilbert Police Department for 16 years. He had previously served with the Manasquan, New Jersey, Police Department for 1-1/2 years and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for four years. He is survived by his two daughters, sister, and parents.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 21 years, 6 months
- Badge 747
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Charged with capital murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 356 ReflectionsRest in peace, brother. You are a hero in every sense. Blessings and strength to your loving family always for your great loss.
Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)
January 28, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Officer Carlos Mendoza
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: February 24, 2021

Lieutenant Justin Bedwell
Decatur County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: March 1, 2021

Officer Cesar Dangaran Sibonga
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: February 7, 2021

Major Estaban "Stevie" Ramirez, III
Bell County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 16, 2021

Reserve Deputy Constable Martinus Mitchum
Second City Court of New Orleans Constable's Office, LA
EOW: February 26, 2021

Police Officer Dominic J. Winum
Stanley Police Department, VA
EOW: February 26, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Albanese
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: February 25, 2021

Corrections Officer IV Vicky James
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: February 10, 2021

Corrections Officer IV Tawiwo Obele
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: February 16, 2021