DP
David Payne
2014
David Smith Payne.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Blunt force trauma
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
Vehicular assault
What Happened
Police Officer David Payne was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive.
He was stopped at a red light at 12:40 am when the drunk driver rear-ended his motorcycle and then fled the scene. The collision occurred at the same intersection at which Officer Robert Nielsen was killed in the line of duty on June 12th, 2002.
The driver was arrested a short time later and was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated DUI, and six other counts. On December 4, 2015, the driver was sentenced to 14 years in prison plus seven years probation.
Officer Payne was a member of the Arizona National Guard and had served with the Chandler Police Department for seven years.
He was stopped at a red light at 12:40 am when the drunk driver rear-ended his motorcycle and then fled the scene. The collision occurred at the same intersection at which Officer Robert Nielsen was killed in the line of duty on June 12th, 2002.
The driver was arrested a short time later and was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated DUI, and six other counts. On December 4, 2015, the driver was sentenced to 14 years in prison plus seven years probation.
Officer Payne was a member of the Arizona National Guard and had served with the Chandler Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his child.
Service Record
Also Served
Chandler Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnva9y43555nd14zkb8z
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew David. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor David.
Leave a Tribute