Phoenix Officer Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle
The driver of the vehicle stayed on scene and cooperated with police. Police said they don’t know at this point what might have caused the driver to hit the officer.
A veteran Phoenix officer died early Thursday after being struck by a vehicle while working at an accident scene.
The officer is 51-year-old Paul Rutherford, Phoenix police officials say. He leaves behind a wife and two adult children.
Sgt. Tommy Thompson told ABC 15 that Rutherford was a 23-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department.
Rutherford was investigating a crash that occurred near 75th Avenue and Indian School Road shortly before 8:30 a.m. when he was struck by another vehicle, according to Thompson.
The driver of the vehicle stayed on scene and cooperated with police. Police said they don’t know at this point what might have caused the driver to hit the officer.
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