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Rookie police officer killed in Arizona

By Andrew V. Pestano
Officer Tyler Jacob Stewart succumbed to his injuries during an investigation. He was 24 years old. Photo courtesy City of Flagstaff.
Officer Tyler Jacob Stewart succumbed to his injuries during an investigation. He was 24 years old. Photo courtesy City of Flagstaff.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Officer Tyler Jacob Stewart, 24, was killed in the line of duty during a domestic violence investigation in Flagstaff, Ariz. Saturday.

Suspect Robert W. Smith, 28, exchanged fire with Stewart multiple times before shooting himself, according to the Flagstaff Police Department. The officer was shot in the face around 1:30 p.m. local time and pronounced dead at Flagstaff Medical Center. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Officer Stewart graduated from Concordia College in California and was in the police department for less than a year.

"This is an enormous tragedy for our department and the family of our officer. We are a very close-knit organization, and know that all members of the Flagstaff Police Department are grieving at this time," Chief of Police Kevin Treadway said.

A candlelight vigil took place in front of the Flagstaff Police Department in honor of the fallen officer.

"It is heartbreaking to lose one of our officers. We collectively mourn for his family and the entire department," Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours said.

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