Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Johnny Ruiz succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was assaulted by a prisoner inside 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. The suspect pleaded guilty to avoid the possibility of a death sentence and was sentenced to life in prison.
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.
Deputy Ruiz you were taking early from the Maricopa county sheriff's office the State of Arizona and your family our community and this Earth you may rest now easily knowing that your killer will behind bars for the rest of his life not being praised for your murder he's not going to be praised for your murder because he's not a convict he's an inmate there's a difference may you rest easy I hope you live well in heaven looking down on all of us watching this world being a guardian of heaven thank you deputy Ruiz for your time in the sheriff's office may you rest easy amen
Civilian Devin McKenna N/a February 22nd, 2025
In Our Keeping
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ruiz gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ruiz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Juan Miguel Ruiz 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 Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Juan Miguel Ruiz's cause is highlighted.
How Juan Miguel Ruiz Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Juan Miguel Ruiz is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Juan Miguel Ruiz was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
