Category Archives: Coconino County Sheriff

911 Call Reporting a “Home Invasion” in Doney Park was not Random Act

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The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle crash and an altercation at a home in Doney Park that appear to be related. At least two but possibly several individuals were involved in the events that occurred in the area of Slayton Ranch Road last night.

It is confirmed that a gun was fired inside the home, but there are no indications that anyone was injured by gunshot. One person was treated and released from Flagstaff Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the altercation. From initial investigations, it appears the assailant(s) and victim(s) know each other.

The call originally came into the Sheriff’s as two separate 911 calls that appear related. At approximately 9:30 pm on August 29, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a truck that crashed on Slayton Ranch Rd. A few minutes later, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a home invasion and assault at a nearby residence. DPS Ranger out of Flagstaff also responded to assist in locating suspect.

Initial investigations confirm this was not a random act home invasion. We do not have reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to residents in the area, but as always citizens are asked to be aware of their surroundings and report anything suspicious.

Detectives currently are working to determine all of the involved parties and interview them. The event is still under investigation.

One fatality in plane crash near Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — At least one fatality has been confirmed in an aircraft crash just south of Forest Highlands—a neighborhood south of Flagstaff, AZ. The victim has been tentatively identified as 76-year-old Homer “Mac” McClure out of Mesa, AZ.

Around 9:24 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 the Flagstaff/Coconino 911 Center received reports from several citizens in the Forest Highlands and Kachina Village areas of a loud crash, possibly a downed aircraft.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to an area just south of Forest Highlands on SR89A and noticed the odor of fuel. They located the crash site near the highway. Highlands Fire Department and DPS Air Rescue also assisted in this response.

The aircraft was a Twin Engine Piper Seneca (1980, PA-34-200T). The crash site was approximately 5 miles SW of Pulliam Airport in the forest near a residential area.

Missing 70 Year-Old Linda Schleizer Found Deceased

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ASH FORK — On July 30, 2016 search teams from Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue were conducting a follow up search for 70 year-old Linda Schleizer in the Juniperwood Ranches area. At approximately 9:00 am, one of the search teams located the deceased body of Ms. Schleizer. The team called Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to respond to the scene. The body of Ms. Schleizer was located approximately ¾ miles to the east of the residence under a juniper tree in a shallow wash area. A Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputy and detective responded along with personnel from the Coconino County Office of the Medical Examiner to conduct the death investigation.

The search for Linda Schleizer has been led by a joint effort of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Other agencies that assisted included Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol, Kaibab Estates West Fire Department and Ash Fork Fire Department.

The search for Linda Schleizer began on the afternoon of July 16, 2016 after her husband reported her missing from their home. Ms. Schliezer was 70 years old and suffered from Alzheimers; she was known to walk around the family.

A Silver Alert was issued and search teams were activated the day she was reported missing. The active search continued through the evening of July 19 when it was transitioned to continuous limited status. Follow up search searches were conducted in the area on July 23 and again on July 30 when her body was located.

BOAT SAFE, BOAT SMART, BOAT SOBER

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Coconino County Sheriff Photo.

Coconino County Sheriff Photo.

PAGE — On Saturday, August 13th 2016 law enforcement agencies in Northern Coconino County will be conducting an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) and boating safety checkpoint at Lake Powell from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and drug involved boat collisions, OUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the waterways as well as to inform and educate the public of the dangers of impaired boating.

OUI checkpoints are a proven-effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Arizona Game and Fish Department believe boaters can be deterred from operating watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, members of the boating community are encouraged to ensure their vessels are properly outfitted with required safety equipment to ensure a safe voyage.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vessels may be checked for safety equipment and operators who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering operating a watercraft after consuming alcohol or drugs-Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober! Deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will partner with Officers of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Page Police Department. It is our desire that this two pronged approach of public awareness/education and strict enforcement will allow boating enthusiasts to have an enjoyable and safe recreational experience in Coconino County.

Safe boating recreation is a must, and everyone should take a minute and remember to check your boats, personal watercraft and all equipment before launching at your favorite lake or waterway. Make sure you have all required safety equipment, such as proper fitting life jackets and working fire extinguishers.

Jon Paxton takes over as Community Programs Planner

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PaxtonFLAGSTAFF — We are pleased to announce that beginning August 1, 2016 Jon Paxton will be assuming the position of Community Programs Planner for the Coconino County Sheriff’s. “Jon brings a lot of experience and positive energy to this position,” said Sheriff Bill Pribil. “We think he is a great match for our community and volunteer programs.”

Jon retired from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in December 2015 after serving 24 years in patrol. Jon has always been recognized by this agency as being the model Community Deputy in his ability to relate to people, his de-escalation skills, for being a be a liaison for the community, and for living the mission of service to community. While his new role will be in a non-sworn capacity, his experiences from his many years of law enforcement and community service will definitely benefit the position.

Jon graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy in Dec 1991. In the early 1990’s, Deputies often were introduced to their career by beginning their assignment in our Detention Facility in managing inmates. In 1992, he moved to a field patrol position and was assigned as the Community Deputy for the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon patrol district. He immediately established rapport with the community was unofficially, but affectionately known as the “Mayor of Oak Creek.”

Being the local deputy for Sedona and Oak Creek was no simple task. Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona area receive over 3-4 million visitors a year. Jon’s skills in keeping the peace and reducing the impact of crime in Oak Creek are a testament of his great people skills. It was not uncommon for him to be the first Search and Rescue responder on scene and single handedly hike people safely out of their circumstances in the middle of the night.

In 2000 Jon graduated from the Basic Mounted Police School and became a leader in our Mounted Unit. He often rode Filly, a much loved mule, and participated in parades; mounted color guard; Search and Rescue; forest patrols for marijuana eradication; security patrols at the County Fair, rodeos, horse races, downtown events; valley bowl games; and for public relation events. He became a trainer for the Mounted Unit Academy.

Jon Paxton is the recipient of several awards, including the Fraternal Order of Police Officer of Year in 1991, Sheriff’s Office Achievement Award in 2003 for community policing, Elks Lodge #2291 Officer of the Year award in 2003, National Public Service Award 2003 for the Mounted Unit, CCSO Achievement Award in 2006 for his leadership during the Brins Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, and another National Public Service Award in 2015.

Jon Paxton was selected from a pool of over 30 applicants and competed with five others who were brought in for the interview, testing, and community forum process. He will be filling the Community Programs Planner position left vacant after the May 2016 retirement of Gerry Blair.

Jon will be responsible for the following programs: Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams, Citizens Police Academy, Volunteers in Policing, Woods Watch, our agencies presence at fairs and exhibitions, and other public and community outreach still to come. Please help us welcome Jon Paxton.

Mountain Biker Dies During Trail Ride

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit recovered the body of a 63-year-old Cornville, AZ resident who died while mountain biking a trail in Fry Canyon.

The Northern Arizona Regional 911 Center received a call around 8:16 am on Sunday July 24, 2106 from a group of mountain bikers advising one of their party had either suffered a medical incident or an injury while riding. Members of the group had started CPR on the victim.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with Guardian Medical and Highlands Fire Department responded to the area and hiked to the victim. Medics performed life saving measures, but were unable to revive the victim, 63-year-old Michael Weinberg. Weinberg was pronounced dead at the scene.

The group of riders had been riding for a distance when they stopped to re-group. After a short stop, the group started to ride again with Weinberg at the back of the group. The group had only ridden five to ten minutes when they realized Weinberg was not there. They headed back up the trail and found Weinberg unresponsive lying on the trail with his bike.

Search and Rescue and fire personnel performed a litter carry to transport Weinberg out to a forest service road. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Sheriff’s office releases name of lightning victim

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FLAGSTAFF — After consulting with families of the three victims of the lightning strike yesterday, the Coconino County Sheriff has released the names of two of the teenagers involved.

The 18-year-old who was injured is David Lyons from Tempe. The deceased 17-year-old was identified as Wade Young of Tempe. The other 17-year-old that was injured has not been identified.

The three youths were hiking near the summit of Humphreys Peak when the tragic lightning strike occurred.

One hiker killed, two injured in Flagstaff

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Williams experienced severe lightning starting around noon.

Williams experienced severe lightning starting around noon.

FLAGSTAFF — At approximately 12:50 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff dispatcher received a 911 call concerning three hikers struck by lightning near the summit of Humphreys Peak. One hiker was reported as unresponsive.

Due to severe and continuous lightning on the peaks, emergency responders are staged at Agassiz Lodge and coordinating with the hikers to get them to safety.

At about 8 p.m., one male age 17 was confirmed deceased after being struck by lightning. Two other males ages 17 and 18 were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with injuries that were likely received due to their proximity to the lightning strike.

The two injured hikers were conscious and walking when emergency responders reached them. The three hikers are from the Tempe, AZ area.

Elderly Woman Missing Outside Ash Fork

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CORRECTED: 7/17; 21:08
Missing Person Schleizer 3Ash Fork — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the assistance of the public in locating a missing 70 year old woman.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a search operation for the missing woman, 70 year old Linda Schleizer. Schleizer walked away from her home outside Ash Fork around 4:00 PM today and never returned home. Schleizer suffers from severe Alzheimer’s and when stressed, she has a tendency to withdraw and may have panic attacks. Schleizer will not answer to her name when called.

Schleizer commonly walks around the family’s property and normal returns home. She had been an avid hiker, and it is unknown how far she may walk. The family home is about 8.4 miles North West of Ash Fork and about 4.7 miles north of Interstate 40.

Schleizer is 5 feet 6 inches tall, 108 pounds, brown hair with hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a burnt orange shirt, purple shorts, gray Skechers tennis shoes and wearing prescription glasses.

The search is being conducted by Coconino County with assistance from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter out of Flagstaff and Kaibab Estates West Fire Department.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Schleizer, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as 928-774-4523.

Skeletal Remains located North of Jacob Lake Connected to 2013 Glendale Homicide Investigation

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FREDONIA — The skeletal remains found by a rancher between Fredonia and Jacob Lake has been connected to a homicide in Glendale. On July 1 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ. The rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area where the rancher led them to the remains. Remnants of weathered clothing and boot were still present, as was a daypack. A handgun was found under the remains. The remains appeared to have been there for some time, if not several years.

Sheriff’s Office deputies, detectives had respond to a wooded area north of Jacob Lake on April 30, 2013 on a report from Forest Service employees of a suspicious vehicle apparently abandon in the forest off Highway 89A. It was determined the abandon truck was stolen and wanted in connection with a current homicide investigation that occurred in Glendale, AZ. The suspect in the homicide and stolen vehicle was listed as wanted and his whereabouts unknown.

Glendale Police detectives responded to the area as well as Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit and conducted a search of the area. At the time, no further evidence was located and the suspect’s whereabouts were still unknown.

A search of the daypack found with the remains located a work shirt that bore a company name that was connected to the homicide. It is believed the remains may be that of the homicide suspect. The investigation has been turned over to Glendale detectives.