Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant John Blaser and Officer David Gabrielli were killed when they were struck by a vehicle while investigating an earlier drunk driving related accident on U.S. 89, 1-1/2 miles south of Valencia Road in Tucson. As they were standing in the median a car driven by another drunk driver swerved across two lanes of traffic and struck them both. The driver of that vehicle had a BAC of .25. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Sergeant Blaser had served with the agency for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-D56DB944- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Blaser gave the Arizona Department of Public Safety 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Blaser.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant John M. Blaser 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 97,756 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 Arizona Department of Public Safety, 16 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Blaser's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Blaser Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Blaser is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Blaser was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Arizona Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
