Officer Jair Cabrera, 37, of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Police Department, was shot and killed early in the morning on Saturday May 26, 2014 during a traffic stop. Officer Cabrera was in an area of Scottsdale which shares a border with the Indian community.
The suspect vehicle pulled into the parking lot of a Chevron Gas Station located at Chaparral and Pima Roads, according to Patrick Sharkey reporting for Law Enforcement Today.
“Before Officer Cabrera was able to exit his patrol vehicle, one of the suspects exited the stopped vehicle and opened fire with a high-powered rifle,” writes Sharkey. “A bullet penetrated the patrol vehicle’s windshield, killing Cabrera.”
Officer Cabrera was transported to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Cabrera served the department for 7 years. He is survived by his parents, a brother, and his girlfriend. He is the first officer to be killed in the line of duty in the history of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Police Department.