Community gathers to remember slain Ariz. police officer

PHOENIX — Family, friends and community members in Flagstaff and Anthem gathered for vigils to remember slain Flagstaff Officer Tyler Stewart Sunday night.

Tyler, 24, who had less than one year on the job, was shot several times by rapid gunfire and killed Saturday afternoon by a 28-year-old man who then turned the gun on himself, police said. Tyler is the son of Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. Frank Stewart.

According to police, Stewart was killed during an interview with a domestic violence suspect.

Robert William Smith, 28, of Prescott, had been involved in an earlier domestic-violence call in Flagstaff with his girlfriend, spokeswoman Sgt. Margaret Bentzen said. Stewart met with Smith and had a conversation regarding earlier events.

Stewart, who was outside his patrol car, had been asking Smith questions about what had happened and asked to pat down Smith for any weapons, Bentzen said. At this time, Smith reached for a gun he had in his pocket and fired several shots at Stewart.

Tyler Stewart's father, Frank Stewart appears at a candlelight vigil for his son Sunday evening in Flagstaff. (Photo: KPNX-TV, Phoenix)

Bentzen said Stewart had no time to return fire, as the shots were immediate and rapidly fired. Stewart fell to the ground and Smith continued to fire, she said.

Smith then walked away and shot himself dead.

Officers were dispatched after several residents in the area reported Stewart lying on the ground and when dispatchers could no longer get a verbal reply from him, Bentzen said.

He was rushed to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Bentzen said Smith had been arrested in 2009 involving domestic violence.

"This is an enormous tragedy for our department and the family of our officer," Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway said in a statement. "We are a very close-knit organization, and know that all members of the Flagstaff Police Department are grieving at this time. With that being said, all of the men and women of the Flagstaff Police Department extend our prayers and condolences to the family of our Officer Tyler Stewart."

Stewart in 2008 graduated from Boulder Creek High School in Anthem.

Stewart's family attended the Flagstaff vigil, Bentzen said. Cards, flowers and candles left by well-wishers began piling up at the memorial Saturday evening.