In the late summer of 2004, a tragedy unfolded in Phoenix, Arizona, that claimed the life of 30-year-old Eric James White. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, White had been with the Phoenix Police Department for four years when he responded to a call that would end his life.
On the evening of Saturday, August 28, 2004, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on West Las Palmaritas Drive to investigate a shooting.
Upon arrival, they found a man who had been shot in the chest. As this individual was being transported to the hospital, officers began to evacuate residents while searching for the person responsible. The suspect was soon located inside one of the apartments.
Believing a hostage situation was unfolding, Officer White, along with his partner Officer Jason Wolfe and a third officer, made the decision to breach the apartment door. As they attempted to enter, they were met with immediate gunfire. All three officers were struck. Tragically, both Eric James White and Jason Wolfe sustained fatal injuries. The third officer was wounded in the exchange.
As another officer returned fire, the gunman retreated into his apartment. The confrontation ended when the suspect took his own life. Because the lone suspect died at the scene, no arrests were made in connection with the deaths of the two officers. Eric James White was survived by his wife and two children.
