Officer John Anthony Valenzuela was 27 and a two-year member of the South Tucson Police Department when he was killed in the line of duty in May 1993. He served as a school resource officer and was described as dedicated to protecting the community’s children.

Valenzuela and other officers were serving a warrant related to a sex offense at a home near West 38th Street and South 9th Avenue. Contact was made with a suspect in the garage and a gunfight began. The suspect’s rifle was reportedly damaged, after which he went back into the house, returned with a second rifle, and opened fire. Valenzuela, taking cover behind a bush, was fatally struck; other officers returned fire and the suspect was killed.

If anyone knew Officer Valenzuela, the operation at that address, or has information about the events that day, please come forward.