An autopsy confirmed the identity of the body, found Feb. 26, 2022, in the Verde River near the Tunlii Crossing, as that of Valentin Rodriguez, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Rodriguez was wanted in the Feb. 9 shooting of Yavapai-Apache Police Sgt. Preston Brogdon.
A father and son fishing saw a body in the river and contacted 911 in late February. Personal items on the body led law enforcement to believe it to be the suspect Rodriguez.
Rodriguez allegedly opened fire on two Yavapai-Apache Police officers responding to a 911 call for shots fired in the Tunlii housing area on the reservation at around 7:30 p.m. on February 9th – severely injuring Sgt. Preston Brogdon.