By Chris Caraveo

Independent Newsmedia

The El Mirage Police Department said one of its officers died while chasing a juvenile wanted on an outstanding warrant during a foot chase Tuesday morning.

Chief Terry McDonald identified the officer who died as Officer Paul Lazinsky, 58, who had been with the department for 17 years. He was set to retire in about 10 months. Officer Lazinsky was also in the U.S. Army for 20 years before joining El Mirage.

Paul Lazinsky (El Mirage Police Dept.)

The incident occurred before 11 a.m. Dec. 12 in the area of Grand Avenue and Acoma Drive near the Food City.

The juvenile suspect, about 14 years old, had a warrant out for his arrest, with Chief McDonald saying the teen was very troubled.

There was no physical confrontation between Officer Lazinsky and the juvenile, Chief McDonald said. The juvenile was arrested.

Officer Lazinsky was treated at the scene before being transported to the hospital, where he died from what Chief McDonald speculated was a medical event during the chase.

A code enforcement officer was in the area when Officer Lazinsky went down, and responding officers also quickly arrived.

Officer Lazinsky worked the neighborhoods roughly bounded west-east by Dysart and Thompson Ranch roads and north-south by Greenway and Thunderbird roads.

"Paul was an ace," Chief McDonald said. "Paul was one these guys where if you had a job to do, you gave it to Paul. I don't care if it was to take care of the command van out there or serve on the retirement board, because he did that. He was also a representative for his officers association. Paul was an absolute voice of reason."

Officer Lazinsky leaves behind a wife, three adult daughters, a sister and a mother.

The El Mirage Police Department is an agency of 43 sworn officers, including Chief McDonald.

Chief McDonald joined the department in 2011, saying Officer Lazinsky was one of the first people he met on the job.

Agencies, including Surprise, Peoria and Phoenix police departments, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, reached out to El Mirage for patrol support.

"It's a little bit early to tell," Chief McDonald said about plans to honor Officer Lazinsky. "It's a first for us as an organization. Moving forward I'm sure we'll be doing something."

Officials blocked off the access road portion of Grand Avenue between Santa Fe Lane and Primrose Street.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is handling the investigation.

"We are still gathering facts and are in the early stages of the investigation so we are not in a position to release any information at this time," DPS Media Specialist Bart Graves said.

Follow yourvalley.net for updates.

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