Stories like this make me physically ill. That it happened just a couple of miles from my home in Gilbert doesn’t help.
Gilbert Police lieutenant Eric Shuhandler was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop last night at the corner of Val Vista and Baseline in Gilbert.
Shulander was a 16 year veteran of the Gilbert police force and is survived by his ex-wife and their two daughters, 10 and 12. (East Valley Tribune article)
What those poor kids are going through today is unimaginable.
Thankfully, the two animals that murdered Lt. Shuhandler were apprehended after a 50 mile high speed chase in which the suspects fired on police. Both suspects were shot by police officers. They have non-life threatening injuries.
Too bad, as it’s going to be years before they get the needle they deserve.
I stopped by the site where Lt. Shuhandler was killed. 14 hours later the police are still there. Some people have already begun to leave flowers at the site.
Christopher A. Redondo (right in photo), 35, is believed to be the gunman. He spent nearly four years in an Arizona prison for aggravated assault and related charges and was released in June 2008 according to the AP in a Washington Post article.
Daimen Irizarry, 30 is the suspected driver. He pleaded guilty to assault in Pinal County Superior Court in 2004 and was sentenced to probation. An arrest warrant was issued in 2006.
What a couple of sub-human losers. As far as I’m concerned, the death penalty is the only appropriate justice for these two.
Take a look at Redondo’s public record from the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Convicted of 4 felonies — child/adult abuse, aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated harassment. That’s what landed him in prison. While incarcerated, he was hardly the ideal inmate as there are disciplinary infractions including physical assault, disobeying orders, possession / manufacture of a weapon, disorderly conduct and rioting. Curiously, he was found guilty of rioting on May 4, 2008 – and released from prison the next month on June 27, 2008.
And 18 months after release he shoots a police officer in the head.
Something is terribly wrong with our justice / prison system.
Memorial Fund for Lt. Shuhandler’s Children and Family
A fund has been set up for the Shuhandler children and family. You can donate at any Wells Fargo Bank. The account number is 1359531975. It’s easy, trust me. All you need is that number.
Update: Lt. Eric Shuhandler was laid to rest on February 3. An estimated 3,000 people attended his funeral. The funeral procession was miles long.
Here are some photos I took of impromptu memorials at the site of the slaying, and the Gilbert Police Department:
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I am beyond freaked out by this…. I was actually at the Fry’s right in that shopping mall when this was going down. My son worked at the Taco Bell where this happened. I have never thought twice about going to Fry’s at 10:30 at night in my neighborhood. Usually the perps apprehended by Gilbert PD are teens out past curfew.
I listened to the chase last night until the signal faded as the chase continued on into Superior. I just could not believe it. I heard sirens as I was leaving the parking lot and never imagined it was any more than a minor traffic accident until I saw the news.
My utmost gratitude goes out to Lt Shuhandler for the ultimate sacrifice in making Gilbert a wonderful and safe place to live. All the officers who were involved in the chase that ensued after the shooting deserve kudos as well.
Kristin LaVanway´s last blog ..Why Realtors are Like Rocket Scientists
Sadly, we are a society that goes out of its way to protect its criminals, NOT its victims. How else can you explain the justification for letting these two creeps back on the street?
So sad that a great man like this had to give his life so needlessly.
Chuck Gillooley´s last blog ..3 Reasons Why You Should Follow the White Oaks Blog on Facebook…
It sickens me just as well. I’m a huge believer that everyone should be able to do whatever they want to do with their life but the minute that they hurt someone else or pose danger to others severe consequences should be put in place. If one doesn’t have a good life that’s ok but the fact that they take away someone else’s is just RIDICULOUS. This for sure is very sad
My condolences to his wife and kids.
Jay, I heard about the incident in the morning. I live in east Phoenix but when I was towing for 7 years in the east valley, Val Vista & Baseline was a frequent intersection. We only ever worked for MesaPD, MCSO, TempePD and DPS directly, never GilbertPD but one thing is true, all officers are brothers, fathers, sons, sisters, mothers, daughters and great and courageous for doing their best to protect us.
It truly is sad when one of them is taken from us.
This is such a sad story. I hope these pieces of trash get what they have coming to them. It’s always a sad time when we loose someone who devotes their life to protecting ours. Makes you wonder why we let this trash back out of prison over and over.
Thanks for commenting folks. This really is such a sad story. Completely senseless.
Jay
you are so right!
we, as a nation, have lost our good ol’ american common sense – common sense in the realm of justice , common sense in the realm of education, common sense in economics and opportunity.
in the name of being PC, we bend over backwards in order not to offend anyone – create absurd rules and institutions and fail to use common sense – we allow abhorant behavior to continue as we fail to hold many individuals responsible for their actions because some how the PC folks have determined our American system has failed those individuals.
Years ago, many Americans were described as the Slient Majority.
I believe it is time for this Silent Majority to re-assert its power and bring back common sense.
Arn
Arn Cenedella´s last blog ..Allied Arts Menlo Park real estate 2009 year in review
Lt. Shuhandler is a true unsung hero! My heart goes out to the family, especially his little daughters. You are in my prayers.
Unfortunately, these despicable criminals will probably be hailed as heroes by the other felons they will share a cell with. These guys should go straight from court to the death chamber. I commend the arresting officers for having the restraint to NOT kill these guys once the caught up with the.
Gary Sattelberger´s last blog ..Phoenix Real Estate Inventory Report January 28, 2010
And let’s not forget what happened to those two Texas Border Guards a few years ago who were arrested and sent to PRISON for shooting that drug dealer from Mexico who was fleeing across the border to escape arrest. Something is seriously wrong here.
Arn Cenedella´s last blog ..Allied Arts Menlo Park real estate 2009 year in review
Unlike the media, the author of this blog was able to research and analyze the criminal backgrounds of those at fault. Hold judges accountable for their decisions, because repeat offenders are executing our finest men and women.
It’s too bad…Chris Redondo used to call himself a Christian. I knew him when I was a kid he went to the same church as me in Globe. He was even in ministry. I remember he was rappin’ for Christ. Hopefully he’ll give his heart back to Christ before the needle gets him. GOD bless the officer and his family…….big loss.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Whenever I hear about these brave officers who give so much to protect us and keep us safe I’m reminded of that.
That is a terrible loss of life. What a waste.
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This is beyond sad. This hero spent almost 2 decades serving, protecting and giving of himself for our families and our community.
What church did Eric go to?
Eric the officer that was killed? I have no idea what church he attended. Or did you mean Chris Redondo, the alleged killer that Los in comment #11 mentioned?
He deserves a heroes burial. He should be given that honor.
Var1 – He was given a hero’s burial. See the update I posted at the bottom of the article. Over 3,000 attended the services, including police officers from across the country. I was able to watch most of the service via live stream. It was a very moving ceremony.
It is hard to hear about a man who devoted his life to public service and keeping my family safe dieing because of a man who should have never been let out of jail in the first place.
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You can tell by the photo the guy is trouble. So ladies …. still against carrying a gun? You need one around with idiots like these guys!
I agree with anonymous… You people need to let the judge decide on what happens with these men… after looking at the backgrounds of the both of them the judge will see that Christopher Redondo is at fault!! The other male was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time… What makes me upset is knowing that alot of innocent human beings go down for a crime that an inconsiderate selfish peace of crap human being won’t own up to!! The people dealing with this case really need to look into the history of both men so they dont make the mistake of putting an innocent man behind bars!!!!!