Police: Man who fled scene of Buckeye officer's slaying found
by Jackee Coe - May. 3, 2011 11:03 AM
The Arizona Republic


Phoenix police have found a man who fled the scene of the slaying of Buckeye Officer Rolando Tirado Sunday morning, authorities said.

The man, who has not been identified, was interviewed by detectives, Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said. Thompson would not say if the man is considered a suspect or could be facing charges.

"He's considered an investigative lead at this point," he said. "At this time, the investigation is ongoing."

Cesar Tomas Quiroz Leon, 27, fatally shot Tirado from behind about 1:15 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of El Gran Mercado, 1800 S. 35th Avenue, in Phoenix, where Tirado and Buckeye Officer Christopher Paz were working off duty as security, Thompson said.

Leon was killed in an ensuing gun battle with Paz, which left him critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds to the shoulder, neck and lower body, he said. A second suspect also was critically wounded in the crossfire.

A third man fled and Phoenix police found and questioned him. Phoenix police would not elaborate.

Paz and the second suspect are expected to survive, Thompson said.

Tirado and Paz were working off duty when they stopped a white Chevrolet Tahoe with dark-tinted windows that had been driving erratically in the parking lot, he said.

While Tirado was talking to the driver, the front-seat passenger, identified as Leon, got out of the SUV, walked around the back of the vehicle and "executed Officer Tirado, shooting him from behind," Thompson said.

"He never knew what was coming," he said.

Leon then engaged in a "life or death" gunbattle with Paz that left him dead, Thompson said. Leon has an extensive criminal history, mostly in California.

Tirado, 37, an 11-year police veteran and 7-year Buckeye veteran, leaves behind a wife and two children, ages 13 and 16. He worked as a SWAT crisis negotiator and a school resource officer at Youngker High School.

On Monday, co-workers, students, school officials and residents showed an outpouring of support.

About 250 students and staff at Youngker gathered around the flagpole in front of the school for a moment of silence. They set up impromptu memorials with flowers, cards, notes, balloons and candles around the flagpole, around a tree in the school's courtyard and at Tirado's office.

Students, school officials and community members said Tirado had a passion for youths and helping them stay on the right path.

"He was an advocate for the students," Assistant Principal Rob Roberson said. "He was constantly working with them. You couldn't describe him just as a police officer. He (worked) with them to make them better people, better individuals."

The Buckeye Police Department has set up bank accounts for Paz and Tirado. People can make a donation at any Wells Fargo location to the Tirado Memorial Fund or the Paz Recovery Fund.



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