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Incident
Police Officer Jeff Moritz was shot and killed after responding to a noise complaint in an upscale neighborhood during the early morning hours.
Several residents had called the police to report that a pickup truck was repeatedly being driven up and down the street with loud music emanating from the truck. Officer Moritz responded and stopped the pickup truck. Several minutes later, he made an emergency broadcast that he had been shot. A total of five shots were fired at Officer Moritz from a .22 caliber handgun.
Several neighbors administered CPR and Officer Moritz was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was wearing a bulletproof vest but one round struck him in the left shoulder, severing an artery. Despite being wounded, Officer Moritz was able to return fire at the suspect.
The 17-year-old suspect fled the scene but was identified. He was later arrested after a short foot pursuit. The suspect was deemed competent to stand trial and was convicted of first degree murder on September 3, 2003. The suspect was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. On January 22, 2019, he was ordered freed or retried because evidence of his mental illness was withheld at his trial.
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.
Police Officer Moritz gave the Flagstaff Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Flagstaff community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Moritz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Flagstaff Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jeff is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Jeff is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeff 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 2000, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 2000, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2000, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeff was 30. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Jeff had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jeff was 30. 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. Jeff had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeff was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeff had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Flagstaff Police Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Flagstaff Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jeff among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Flagstaff Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
