Yavapai-Apache police identify officer who was shot near Camp Verde
Authorities have identified the Yavapai-Apache police officer who remains hospitalized after a shooting Wednesday near Camp Verde as Preston Brogdon.
Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies received a call around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday asking for assistance near Cherry Creek and State Route 260, the department said in a news release. Yavapai-Apache police officers also responded.
As officers arrived on scene, a man got out of a vehicle and began shooting at the officers as he ran from the Tunli housing area, according to a Facebook post by The Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Brogdon was flown to a Deer Valley hospital for treatment. As of Thursday evening, he remained in critical but stable condition and has more surgeries planned, according to Yavapai-Apache police..
The Yavapai-Apache Police Department said Brogdon is a five-year veteran and "an integral part of the Yavapai-Apache Police Department."
“Our tribal members are heartbroken that the sanctity of this man’s life has been so violently disrupted. I can promise that I and my staff will work ceaselessly to assist the FBI in finding this man and making sure he is brought to justice,” Yavapai-Apache police Chief Nathan Huibregtse said in the release.
On Thursday, YCSO identified 39-year-old Valentin Rodriguez as a person of interest in the shooting.
According to a release from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, Rodriguez is described as a 5'9" Hispanic man that weighs about 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
The FBI, which is leading the investigation, and Yavapai County Sheriff's Office joined forces to find a suspect.
“Violence against anyone is unacceptable, but when it is against those that are out there solely to serve and protect others, it is particularly egregious and intolerable," Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said in the release. "We are committed to working with our criminal justice partners to find the person who shot this fellow officer and bring that person to face justice."
The investigation is ongoing. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity to law enforcement, the YCSO release stated.
Anyone with information about the case can call the Yavapai-Apache Police Department at 928-554-8370.
Yavapai Silent Witness is offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest. Yavapai Silent Witness can be reached at 1-800-932-3232 or at www.yavapaisw.com.
Reach breaking news reporter Amaris Encinas at amaris.encinas@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @amarisencinas.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Yavapai-Apache police identify officer Preston Brogdon shot Wednesday
