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Sergeant Brandon Mendoza
Sergeant Brandon Mendoza was killed at the age of 32 after completing his shift on May 12, 2014 in a fatal head-on collision with a drunk wrong-way driver on the I-10 to US-60 freeway interchange ramp.
Sergeant Mendoza was a Mesa High School graduate and realized his dream of being a Mesa Police Officer. As a 13-year veteran of the Mesa Police Department, he dedicated his life to his job of public service and to being an example and inspiration for the youth of the community.
Sergeant Mendoza was survived by his mother and father, his two brothers and one sister, as well as his grandparents, nieces, nephews, and cousins who all loved him dearly.
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Officers Steven Paul Pollard
Officer Pollard was killed when he was struck by a vehicle after pulling over a suspected drunk driver on US 60.
During the encounter Officer Pollard had a Motor Officer respond to conduct an in depth DUI investigation of the driver he had stopped. While the investigation was taking place, Officer Pollard returned to the drivers side door area of his patrol vehicle where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.
The motorist who struck him failed to stop at the scene but was located a short distance away by another officer. Later during a trial, the motorist claimed to have dozed off while driving and was unaware of what exactly he had struck.
Officer Pollard had served with the Mesa Police Department for 1 1/2 years and is survived by his wife and daughter.
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Town Marshal Hyram Smith Peterson
Marshal Hyram Peterson was shot and killed by a theft suspect while on duty. He observed two men attempting to steal a bicycle and he gave chase on his own bicycle. He was shot by the two men when he caught them at the edge of town. Both men were eventually apprehended.
Marshal Peterson had been the town marshal for five years. He was survived by his wife and children and is buried in the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona.
