Incident
Location: Arizona Weapon: Rifle; AR-15 Offender: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Jair Cabrera was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of Chaparral Road and Pima Road, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, at 3:05 am.
The vehicle pulled into a gas station near the border with Scottsdale city. A subject armed with a rifle exited the car, steadied the rifle on the roof, and opened fire. Officer Cabrera was struck in the head by one of the rounds before he exited his patrol car. Three subjects fled the scene on foot but were all apprehended.
Officer Cabrera was transported to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
On September 17th, 2015, the subject was convicted of first degree murder and using a firearm in commission of a violent crime resulting in murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. The man was who was driving the vehicle and supplied the weapon was sentenced to 27 years.
Officer Cabrera had served for seven years with the Salt River Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SRP-TR-25C376CB- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Cabrera gave the Salt River Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Scottsdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cabrera.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jair Abelardo Cabrera 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 Salt River Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jair Abelardo Cabrera's cause is highlighted.
How Jair Abelardo Cabrera Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jair Abelardo Cabrera is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jair Abelardo Cabrera was killed by rifle; ar-15.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Salt River Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
