In the pre-dawn hours of February 17, 2020, a call reporting shots fired near the Hon-Dah Casino in Pinetop, Arizona, set in motion a tragic chain of events. White Mountain Apache Police Officer David Kellywood, a 26-year-old male and a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, was the first to respond to the scene. Having served with the department for just nine months, Kellywood was known for his dedication and bravery.
Upon his arrival, Officer Kellywood encountered a man matching
the suspect's description. A violent, physical altercation immediately ensued, during which the officer was fatally shot. Shortly after, a second officer arrived and shot the suspect, who was later identified as Jeremy Dwey. Both Officer Kellywood and Dwey were transported to a nearby hospital where they both succumbed to their injuries. The investigation into the shooting was taken over by the FBI, which is standard procedure for major violent crimes on tribal land.
The community was left to mourn the loss of a man described as a compassionate and caring husband and father of two young boys. Prior to joining the White Mountain Apache Police Department, Kellywood had served as a detention officer with the Navajo County Sheriff's Office. His death was a profound loss for his family and the entire White Mountain Apache community. In the wake of the tragedy, the mother of the suspect, Jeremy Dwey, expressed her sorrow and condolences to the Kellywood family.
