Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John Hobbs was shot and killed as he and other members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team attempted to serve a felony warrant on a man who had recently been released from prison and was wanted in connection to a murder.
The subject fled in a vehicle and was pursued by the detectives until crashing at the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The subject then fled on foot. He opened fire on the detectives as they pursued him, striking Detective Hobbs and a second detective. Despite being mortally wounded, Detective Hobbs was able to return fire and fatally shot the subject.
Both wounded detectives were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition. Detective Hobbs succumbed to his wounds at the hospital.
Detective Hobbs had served with the Phoenix Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-1357DE3C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Hobbs gave the Phoenix Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Hobbs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John Thomas Hobbs is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Phoenix Police Department, 28 of 47 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Thomas Hobbs's cause is highlighted.
How John Thomas Hobbs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Thomas Hobbs is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Thomas Hobbs was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
46 officers from Phoenix Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
