A former Cochise County Sheriff’s deputy could lose his ability to work as a peace officer in Arizona and several other states after being charged with extreme DUI and leaving the scene of an accident during a off-duty incident last year.
The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Board voted Wednesday to initiate proceedings against Abraham Peraza Jr. for violating conduct rules. An AZPOST certification is needed to work as a peace officer for any municipal, county, or state law enforcement agency in Arizona.
Peraza, 42, was identified by Douglas police officers on Dec. 9 as the driver of a truck that struck a parked vehicle at about 35 mph. The truck then drove away, leaving behind its “sheared off” passenger side front tire and rim as well as gouge marks in the roadway leading from the scene to Peraza’s residence.
Public records show Peraza was arrested at his home around 11 p.m. on suspicion of DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. Six days later, he resigned from the position he had held with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) since 2008.
Blood results would eventually show Peraza had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.193, with a plus or minus factor of 0.01.
Peraza is scheduled for June 7 change of plea hearing at the Douglas Justice Court where he is charged with three DUI counts, the most serious for having a BAC between .15 and .19. A fourth charge is related to the fact Peraza failed to remain at the scene.
Public records show that multiple Douglas police officers responded around 10:30 p.m. to the hit and run accident which was recorded by a residential security camera.
“Both of Peraza’s rear tires appeared to lift off the ground during the collision, causing Peraza’s truck to complete a 90 degree angle turn,” the police report notes.
The lack of a tire caused the truck to dig into the roadway for several blocks, leading officers to a truck with “extensive damage” in Peraza’s driveway. Peraza, who officers knew was a sheriff’s deputy, admitted driving his vehicle but claimed
to be unaware of being involved in an accident and thought his tire had simply gone flat.
Officers quickly came to suspect he was impaired, noting his “blood shot and watery” eyes, his slurred speech, and the “strong odor of an intoxicating beverage” coming his Peraza’s breath, according to the police report.
Officer John Owen noted Peraza “apologetically refused” to participate in field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest at about 11 p.m. During the walk to a police car, “Abraham struggled to keep his balance, staggering and nearly falling over. Abraham caught himself from falling by leaning onto his own vehicle,” the report noted.
Owen held onto Peraza at one point to make sure he didn’t fall, but when he let go, “Abraham again had to hold himself up with Ofc. Owen’s patrol vehicle as to not fall over,” the report added.
Peraza was transported to the Douglas Police Department and advised of his rights under the Miranda Warning. He then told officers he began drinking around 10 p.m. and had five beers at a local business.
“When asked at what time he stopped drinking, Abraham stated around 2AM,” Owen noted in the report. “Abraham was reminded that it was only about 11:30PM. Abraham then changed his answers stating he started drinking at around 9PM and stopped drinking at about 11PM.”
At the police station, Peraza agreed to undergo a breathalyzer test. However, he was unable to complete the test despite two attempts. Owen then sought and was granted a court ordered search warrant for a forced blood draw.
That blood draw took place at the local hospital around 0:44 a.m. The results of the BAC blood test was received by Owen on Jan. 13, while a second test of the blood detected no drugs, according to a March 15 medical report.
Peraza arrived with his attorney at the Douglas Police Department on March 20 to be formally cited and fingerprinted. He will stand trial this summer if a common negotiated plea deal is not struck.
Under AZPOST rules, a vote to initiate proceedings in such cases can result in suspension or revocation of Peraza’s certification. The former deputy will have an
opportunity to argue to the board why his peace officer certification should not be revoked.
Several states honor an AZPOST revocation, meaning Peraza would not be allowed to work as a non-federal peace officer in those states either.
At the time of Peraza’s Dec. 15 resignation, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels issued a statement commending Peraza for quickly accepting responsibility for his actions. The sheriff also wished the longtime deputy well in his next endeavor.
“Abe has been a quality team-member and has served this office well, but this one event is irreversible,” Dannels said. “Sadly, his decisions / actions do not meet the cultural expectations and mission of this office.”
The sheriff explained the CCSO culture is supported by professional standards and behavior.
“Though I am not the morality police, I do have some strong expectations that both on and off the job we conduct ourselves as ‘Community Role Models’ at all times,” Dannels stated. “Our culture is one I am very proud of that has been the core to this office’s success.”