Log in

DPS trooper killed in shooting with person throwing rocks at vehicles along Interstate 10

Posted 7/26/18

A state trooper still in training was fatally shot by a man who took a responding official’s gun in a confrontation along Interstate 10 in the West Valley.

Arizona Department of Public Safety …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

DPS trooper killed in shooting with person throwing rocks at vehicles along Interstate 10

Posted

A state trooper still in training was fatally shot by a man who took a responding official’s gun in a confrontation along Interstate 10 in the West Valley.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Col. Frank Milstead said the trooper killed late Wednesday night, Tyler Edenhofer, graduated from the academy in May.

“We’re all in a little bit of a state of shock,” Mr. Milstead told reporters. “The DPS family is in mourning.”

Troopers had responded to motorists’ reports of a person throwing rocks at vehicles on I-10 near Avondale Boulevard before 10:30 p.m.

Arizona DPS

A struggle ensued between responding DPS and Goodyear officials and the suspect. It lasted around eight minutes, Mr. Milstead said.

During the struggle, DPS said Trooper Sean Rodecap lost his gun, which was reportedly in a holster that did not have a mechanism to keep it from being pulled out.

The suspect, identified as Isaac D. King, 20, fired at least two rounds. One struck Dalin Dorris, the first trooper to respond. The other struck Mr. Edenhofer.

Goodyear police assisted DPS in finally taking Mr. King into custody. Details on how he was arrested were not fully released and he was taken to the hospital for treatment. Mr. King did not have a prior criminal history, Mr. Milstead said, adding Mr. King has been taking medication for anxiety and depression.

Mr. Edenhofer was pronounced dead at Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear. He was 24.

Mr. Dorris was treated for a gunshot wound through the shoulder and released. Mr. Rodecap was injured but not by gunshot, DPS said. He too was released.

The suspect was being treated at the hospital as of the DPS briefing at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Mr. Milstead said an investigation is in its early stages.

A direct fund to support Tyler Edenhofer was created by the Arizona State Troopers Association.

Mr. Edenhofer's mother, Debbie, is being supported through a GoFundMe page started by her employer.

https://www.facebook.com/Ariz.DPS/videos/1857593287641533/

 

Honoring a Fallen Trooper

Mr. Edenhofer’s body was taken in a procession to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered that all state office buildings’ flags be lowered until sunset Friday in honor of Mr. Edenhofer.

“This tragedy is an all too real and heartbreaking reminder of the harm our heroic law enforcement officers face each and every day for the safety and well-being of Arizonans, and for peace in our communities,” Mr. Ducey said in a statement.

Eastbound lanes of I-10 were closed for about eight hours before being reopened during the Thursday morning commute.

Mr. Edenhofer is the 30th DPS official to die in the line of duty, and the first under Mr. Milstead, who was appointed by Mr. Ducey in 2015. The last DPS death was Timothy Hoffman in 2013.

Several organizations including the 100 Club of Arizona and C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) are around to help surviving families of law enforcement and public safety officials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Arizona agencies are expressing their condolences and support for Mr. Edenhofer and DPS:

https://twitter.com/PeoriaAzPS/status/1022495733881102337

https://twitter.com/Surprise_PD/status/1022496644137246720

https://twitter.com/GlendaleAZPD/status/1022493382080221185

https://twitter.com/BuckeyePolice/status/1022476095507943424

https://twitter.com/Goodyearpolice/status/1022518198418255872

https://twitter.com/mcsoaz/status/1022522862287114240

https://twitter.com/AZFireAuthority/status/1022539013582770177

https://twitter.com/MesaPD/status/1022481481640247302

https://twitter.com/PeoriaFire/status/1022528555027058688

https://twitter.com/ElMiragePolice/status/1022542559695069185

https://twitter.com/SilentwitnessAZ/status/1022560055151849472

https://twitter.com/SunCityFire/status/1022630141661511681