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Incident
Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle occupied by two males near the intersection of Val Vista and Baseline Roads, near the border with Mesa.
When Lieutenant Shuhandler approached the passenger side of the vehicle to contact the passenger, the passenger fired a single shot, striking Lieutenant Shuhandler in the head.
Two sergeants from the Mesa Police Department heard the shot and found Lieutenant Shuhandler at the same time as Gilbert police received a 911 call reporting the shooting. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wound.
The suspects were located several minutes later, and a 50-mile high-speed chase began along Highway 60, with several units pursuing the pickup through Phoenix-area communities. The suspects fired several rounds and threw objects from their vehicle at the pursuing officers. The vehicle abruptly stopped in the town of Superior, and both suspects were wounded in an exchange of gunfire with officers from four agencies. Both suspects were arrested at the scene.
On October 14th, 2010, the driver was convicted of aggravated assault, drive-by shooting, and unlawful flight, and sentenced to 107 years in prison. Lieutenant Shuhandler's killer was convicted of first-degree murder in an unrelated case and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on March 21st, 2012. He was charged with capital murder for killing Lieutenant Shuhandler. On May 7, 2019, he was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison in 2024.
Lieutenant Shuhandler had served with the Gilbert Police Department for 16 years. He had previously served with the Manasquan, New Jersey, Police Department for 1-1/2 years and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters, sister, and parents.
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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Shuhandler gave the Gilbert Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Gilbert community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Shuhandler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gilbert Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Eric is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Eric is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eric was 42. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Eric had served 21.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Eric was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 21.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 21.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Gilbert Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Gilbert Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Eric among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Gilbert Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
