Arizona trooper killed with an officer's gun in struggle on Interstate 10

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — An Arizona state trooper was killed late Wednesday after a man grabbed a service revolver from one of the officers trying to arrest him on Interstate 10, authorities said Thursday.

Tyler Edenhofer, 25, had been on the job less than three months, graduating from the police academy May 4, said Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Edenhofer also was a Navy veteran.

"During the struggle, one of the troopers lost his firearm to the subject, and the subject fired at least two rounds from the duty weapon," Milstead said. A second trooper, Dalin Dorris, was hit near the shoulder but will survive; the bullet went through his body.

Also Wednesday, a Mike Michalski, 52, a member of the Milwaukee Police Department's Special Investigations Division, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with a suspect wanted on drug and gun offenses.

The two deaths mark 89 officers killed in the line of duty so far this year, a number not seen since 2011 when 119 law-enforcement officials were killed as of July 25, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit organization that keeps track of the killings.

► July 25: Milwaukee police officer killed in shooting; suspect held
► July 21: Dallas motorcycle officer killed during funeral escort
► July 20: Man suspected of shooting officer found, killed after 3-day search

Gunfire has killed nearly 2 of every 5 of the officers who have died so far this year.

In Milwaukee, officers tearfully hugged one another as they participated in a procession escorting Michalski's body from Froedtert Hospital, where he died, to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, where the investigation into his death continues.

"Words cannot describe the sorrow and anger I feel at this moment," Milwaukee Mayor Barrett said. "This officer had been on the department a long time — well respected, well liked, and was doing what he was hired to do — to protect us."

Michalski was a 17-year veteran of the force whose survivors include his wife, Susan; and three sons, John, Josh and Andrew, Police Chief Alfonso Morales said.

► July 15: 1 police officer killed in Weymouth, Mass., 3 hurt in Kansas City, Mo.
► June 15: Authorities: 1 deputy killed, 1 critical after being overcome by inmate

"He was a very quiet, unassuming man who did his job and did it very well," Milwaukee Alderman Mark Borkowski said. "He was a pillar of our community. He leaves behind a huge void."

The suspect, Jonathan C. Copeland Jr., 30, of Milwaukee was taken into custody on a tentative charge of first-degree intentional homicide, according to arrest logs. Copeland was not wounded.

In Arizona, Edenhofer died after dispatchers started receiving calls about 10:20 p.m. MST Wednesday about a person "in and out of the roadway" on Interstate 10 eastbound in this Phoenix suburb near Avondale Boulevard, throwing objects at vehicles, Milstead said.

Citizens were able to get the man out of the roadway, Milstead said.

One trooper arrived, and then two others. Two Goodyear police officers also arrived to assist, he said.

As they attempted to take the man into custody, the man struggled with the troopers, and the fight lasted several minutes during which the two officers were shot, Milstead said.

"He was a great man, my pride and joy!" said the trooper's mother, Debbie Edenhofer of Glendale. "My whole life was him."

Milstead did not release the suspect's name nor state the charges being pursued. The suspect is being treated at a Phoenix-area hospital.

"Lives have been shattered and ruined, Milstead said. "We're all in a little bit of a state of shock this morning."

Contributing: Ashley Luthern, Taylor Palmby, Mary Spicuzza, Jesse Garza and Samantha West, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; USA TODAY. Follow Jason Pohl on Twitter: @pohl_jason

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