Navajo County – White Mountain Apache Tribe Police Officer David Kellywood, was killed in the line of duty Monday morning, according to reports.
On February 17, 2020, just before 1:00 a.m., officers from White Mountain Apache Police Department responded to reports of shots fired near the Hon-Dah Resort Casino, south of Pinetop Lakeside. Officer Kellywood, the first responding officer, located a man matching the description of the individual referenced in the call. The man “immediately engaged in a violent physical altercation” with Officer Kellywood during which Officer Kellywood was shot, according to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
A second responding officer arrived and “fearing for his life and the public safety shot the man.”
Officer Kellywood and the man were both transported to a local hospital where they died from their injuries.
The investigation is being led by the FBI according to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer Kellywood leaves behind a wife and two children.