Suspect in Utah deputy's killing caught near Arizona border
by Molly Smith - Aug. 30, 2010 11:40 AM
The Arizona Republic

A man suspected in the shooting death of a Utah sheriff's deputy was captured early Monday morning when a resident just north of the Utah-Arizona border reported seeing a suspicious person who was armed and outside of his home.

Authorities say they used night vision goggles and a helicopter to catch Scott Curley.


Seventeen law-enforcement officials responded to the area near Kanab, Utah, and took Curley, 23, into custody shortly before 1 a.m. (midnight Arizona time) Curley surrendered without resistance and had a rifle suspected of being used in the shooting death of Deputy Brian Harris, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

The caller from Lost Spring told authorities he woke up when his dogs began barking. He saw a man with a rifle was attempting to enter his home at 12:20 a.m. Officials responded and searched the area. They found Curley within 25 minutes.

Coconino County Sheriff's Office detectives were interviewing Curley Monday morning. They will be seeking extradition and prosecution on first-degree murder warrant issued in Coconino County. There has also been a federal warrant issued for Curley, for unauthorized flight to avoid prosecution, but authorities say it will be dropped in favor of the Coconino County warrant.

Curley has the option to wave his rights and be extradited to Arizona or contest the extradition and have a hearing in Utah, where the governor must sign the extradition papers. Whichever route is taken, Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil said he is confident that Curley will be brought to Arizona to face charges.

In a press conference early Monday, Chief Deputy Jim Driscol from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office said the death penalty could be pursued.

Curley was initially a suspect in a break-in and assault at Fredonia High School in northern Arizona on Wednesday night. During pursuit of Curley on Thursday morning, Harris was shot when Curley was believed to have opened fire from under a tree 40 feet away.

Officers continued pursuit, twice exchanging fire, but believe Curley was able to escape due to his knowledge of the rough terrain in the area, according to the Kane County Emergency Services Department.

The arrest came less than a day after authorities announced they were adding more law-enforcement teams to hunt the fugitive down.

Pribil said the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and Border Patrol helped in the search. The Arizona Department of Public Safety provided two helicopters.

"We put in a huge effort to locate Mr. Curley, and a significant, if not a lion's share, of that effort came from Utah state and county resources," Pribil said. "Without that maximum effort, I don't know that we would have had success as quickly as we did. I can't express the gratitude of Coconino County for all of the resources that were put our way."

On Sunday, authorities asked residents in the Fredonia and Kanab areas to open their homes and outbuildings to searches by officers in tactical gear.

About 100 officers were in the field Sunday, and three helicopters were aiding in the search, according to a statement from Coconino County deputies. At Monday's press conference, Driscol estimated at least 400 people were involved in the search.

Authorities said Curley suffered from depression and had few friends, but was familiar with the rugged countryside near Fredonia and searchers could pass 10 feet from him and never see him in hiding.

The U.S. Marshals Service has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Curley's capture. Official paperwork has not been started, but authorities say they assume that the reward will be claimed by the caller, who appears to be eligible.

Harris left behind his wife Shawna, 13-year-old daughter Kirsten, 10-year-old daughter Kristina, five brothers, a sister, and his parents.

Harris' wife was told of Curley's capture early Monday morning by Kane County Sheriff Lamont Smith. Smith described her as being "overwhelmed (and) thankful" for all of the help put into the case.

Harris' 72-year-old father, Bruce, said his son most enjoyed saving people and animals as part of his job, and was the one lowered from helicopters during rescues.

There will be a vigil held for Harris on Monday night in Kane County, according to Smith.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.