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Incident
Officer John Valenzuela was shot and killed when he and other officers went to a home near the intersection West 38th Street & South 9th Avenue to serve a warrant as part of a sex offense investigation involving a female elementary school student. Officer Valenzuela was a school resource officer and had been informed of the offense by the victim earlier in the day. The officers made contact with the suspect in the home's garage and were immediately engaged in a shootout. The offender retreated inside the home when his rifle was damaged by gunfire. He obtained a second rifle and then shot Officer Valenzuela, who was concealed behind a bush. The other officers returned fire, killing the subject. Officer Valenzuela had served with the South Tucson Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancée and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Valenzuela gave the South Tucson Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Tucson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Valenzuela.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of South Tucson Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1993, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1993, 110 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 53rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 27. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 13.2% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Mondays: 15.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at South Tucson Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from South Tucson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.