Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
End of Watch Monday, October 11, 2021
Add to My HeroesJuan Miguel Ruiz
Deputy Sheriff Johnny Ruiz succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was assaulted by a prisoner inside of the District 2 station at 920 E Van Buren Street in Avondale.
He and other deputies had arrested a subject who was wanted for violating parole. Deputy Ruiz transported the man to the district station to book him. As he removed the handcuffs to place him in a holding cell the man suddenly attacked him. A violent struggle ensued during which Deputy Ruiz unsuccessfully attempted to use his radio to request assistance. The subject beat Deputy Ruiz unconscious. He then stole Deputy Ruiz's keys and used his patrol car to crash through the station's gate as he fled.
Other deputies located Deputy Ruiz in the holding cell and transported him to a local hospital inside a patrol car.
The subject fled the area before stealing multiple other cars. Later in the day he drove to the home of a neighbor he had a disagreement with and tried to break in. The neighbor shot and wounded the man who was then taken into custody.
Deputy Ruiz never regained consciousness and was kept on life support until October 11th, 2021, so his organs could be donated.
Deputy Ruiz had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Bio
- Age 45
- Tour 3 years
- Badge S2212
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Incident Date Saturday, October 9, 2021
- Weapon Person
- Offender Arrested
Most Recent Reflection
View all 103 ReflectionsOfficer thank you for your service
Civilian Devin Mckenna
N/a
February 9, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024