Maricopa County Deputy Juan Miguel Ruiz was beaten in a holding cell. He is on life support until his organs can be donated. (Photo: Maricopa County SO)
Maricopa County, AZ, Deputy Juan Miguel Ruiz, a three-year department veteran, has not regained consciousness and remains on life support after being beaten unconscious by a man he was putting into a holding cell on Saturday, Sheriff Paul Penzone announced during a news briefing Monday morning.
Ruiz's family is planning to donate his organs, AZ Central reports.
Ruiz was attacked by 30-year-old Clinton Robert Hurley at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's District 2 substation, according to sheriff's officials.
Ruiz was tasked with transporting Hurley to a Sheriff's Office substation after he had been apprehended on an outstanding arrest warrant. When they returned to the station, Ruiz removed Hurley's handcuffs to place him in a holding cell and then Hurley turned on the deputy and a fight ensued, Penzone said.
During the fight, Ruiz tried to use his radio to request assistance multiple times but was unsuccessful.
After beating Ruiz unconscious, Hurley took the keys to the deputy's vehicle, crashed through the gate and fled the area, Penzone said.
Later Saturday, officers received a call about a shooting at a residence. At that time, officers thought the two incidents were not connected.
Hurley had made his way to the area in a stolen vehicle armed with a handgun and proceeded to fire at the homeowner. Penzone said Hurley and the homeowner have had previous conflict but it is not yet known why. Hurley was fleeing when he was struck multiple times as the homeowner returned gunfire.
Hurley was taken into custody and is in stable condition at a hospital as of Monday morning.
