Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Carlos Ledesma was shot and killed while conducting an undercover narcotics operation at a home in the 2300 block of West Maldonado Road in Phoenix.
Officer Ledesma was working an undercover operation with two other officers who were attempting to sell 500 pounds of marijuana to the subjects. They had just arrived to complete the deal when the suspects came out firing at them. Two of the officers were able to return fire and both were wounded.
Two suspects were shot and killed by the officers and six other suspects were taken into custody. In 2017 three of the men plead guilty to second degree murder and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. One was sentenced to 30 years in prison and the other two were sentenced to 20 years in prison. On August 14, 2022, the last two suspects, 37 and 51, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Ledesma was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Chandler Police Department for three years. He had previously served with the Spirit Lake, Iowa, Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-CFC69ECD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Ledesma gave the Chandler Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chandler community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Carlos Luciano Ledesma served in the Marine Corps (1994â2002) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Carlos Luciano Ledesma is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chandler Police Dept., 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Carlos Luciano Ledesma's cause is highlighted.
How Carlos Luciano Ledesma Compares
Offender Outcome
2 shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Carlos Luciano Ledesma is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Carlos Luciano Ledesma was killed by rifle; ak-47.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chandler Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
