Roll of Honor

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Police Officer

Erik David Hite

Tucson Police Department — Tucson, AZ

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 2, 2008

Age 43

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Badge 46584

The Vigil Panel 156 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Police Officer Erik Hite succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day by a suspect who had wounded a Pima County Sheriff's Office deputy.

The suspect had fired a rifle into the homes of two neighbors and then fled as the first responding deputy arrived at the location. As the deputy pursued him, the suspect opened fire and wounded him.

Members of the Tucson Police Department spotted the vehicle a short time later and continued pursuing it even as the suspect continued to fire at them. The suspect then turned off of Tanque Verde Road onto Tomahawk Trail, where he stopped his vehicle and set up an ambush.

As Officer Hite turned the corner onto the street, the suspect opened fire from a distance of approximately 80 yards, striking Officer Hite in the head.

The suspect continued to flee and wounded another deputy before finally surrendering. In February 2012 he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He won't start serving the sentence until it is determined that he is competent enough to have this commitment ended at the state hospital.

Officer Hite was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Tucson Police Department for four years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, adult son, 1-year-old daughter, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AZ-6F717FBB
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 Hite gave the Tucson Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucson 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

Department Tucson Police Department

Location Tucson, AZ

Platform Identity tpd.pima.az.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 2, 2008

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 43

Badge Number 46584

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Erik David Hite served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Police Officer Erik David Hite 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 Tucson Police Department, 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.

Tucson Police Department

of 11 officers

54.5% Felonious

AZ — Statewide

204

of 330 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious