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Incident
Sergeant Thomas Hontz was killed following a training exercise when a piece of equipment exploded at about 5:00 pm.
He was participating in a SWAT team training exercise at two vacant homes on the southwest corner of the intersection of Guadalupe Road and Higley Road in Gilbert. The training was nearing completion when a device used to puncture a wall and pump tear gas into a room exploded. Fourteen other officers and firefighters from several agencies were injured as a result of the explosion.
Sergeant Hontz had served with the Scottsdale Police Department for 24 years and was one of the officers responsible for the creation of the agency's SWAT team.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Hontz gave the Scottsdale Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Scottsdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hontz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Scottsdale Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 3 officers in AZ were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 56 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 5.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 45. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5. Thomas had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in AZ; November holds the most, 14.7%. Wednesdays: 11.6%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Scottsdale Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 28.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Scottsdale Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Scottsdale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
