Officer Juan Nieblas Cruz, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona

Officer Juan Nieblas Cruz

Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona

End of Watch Wednesday, December 9, 1998

Add to My Heroes

Juan Nieblas Cruz

Officer Juan Cruz was killed when his patrol car was rear-ended while he was investigating another accident on I-10, at the exit for Ruthrauff Road in Tucson.

He was sitting in his patrol car, which was parked in the left lane with emergency lights activated when the crash curred. The patrol car burst into flames and, as another officer attempted to free him, a small explosion occurred.

The vehicle that struck him had driven through a line of flares and didn't slow down before the impact. The driver of that vehicle, who turned 21 the day before the crash, was taken to a local hospital and a homicide investigation was started. The driver ad a BAC of .168. She plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Officer Cruz had been with the department for 17 years. He is survived by five children and fiancee. He was planning on being remarried only two weeks after the incident.

Bio

Age 48
Tour 17 years
Badge 3111

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Sentenced to 11 years

accident scene, Impaired Driver

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 34 Reflections

Juan, I have not left a reflection yet. I did not know what to say. My friend Ed , worked with you. I remember you sitting on I 10 near Miracle Mile. You wore your vest european style. I went to the police academy in 2001 in Snowflake, Arizona and I think of you often. My lunch box has 3111 and December 9, 1998 on it. VON CON DIAS.

Mark

December 11, 2020