On a Tuesday evening in Phoenix, Arizona, the life of 33-year-old Nicki James Nick Erfle was tragically cut short. On September 18, 2007, the male Phoenix Police Officer, an eight-year veteran of the force, was on patrol with his partner when they encountered three people jaywalking and obstructing traffic on 24th Street, just north of Thomas Road.
As the officers attempted to identify the individuals, one man provided a fictitious name that was associated with a misdemeanor warrant.
The situation escalated rapidly when the officers moved to take the man into custody. He suddenly produced a weapon and fired, shooting Officer Erfle twice in the back of the head. The officer was rushed to a nearby medical center, but his injuries proved fatal, and he died about an hour later. He left behind a wife and two young children.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, carjacking a vehicle and taking the driver hostage. A tense search ensued, and about an hour later, an unmarked police unit spotted the stolen vehicle. They tracked the car and managed to corner the suspect at 27th Avenue and McDowell Road. When the suspect pointed his gun at the hostage, an officer fired, killing him. The two women who were with the gunman when Officer Erfle was shot were taken into custody for questioning. It was later revealed that the suspect who killed Officer Erfle was a convicted felon who had been deported the previous year and had illegally re-entered the country.
