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April 2024
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Captain Belinda Morales
Operations Division East
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Line of Duty Death
 On the evening of March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday, TPD and Operations Division Midtown Lead Police Officer Adam Buckner was responding to a priority call, his emergency lights and siren activated. As he approached the intersection of Campbell Avenue and 6th Street, a motorist failed to yield, causing a collision. LPO Buckner was gravely injured and, despite the life-saving efforts of community members, other officers, Tucson Fire personnel, and medical staff at Banner University Medical Center, he did not survive his injuries.
LPO Buckner was an outstanding police officer, who joined TPD as a lateral hire from New Orleans. He was 31 years old.
We all are mourning Adam's loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues.
Love of Reading at Mesquite Elementary
New Community Service Officer Tayler Rinehart had the pleasure of reading to students at Mesquite Elementary School in Operations Division East and the Vail School District. Reading is so important to our kids’ success, and we were honored to celebrate our love of literature and reading with them!
Thank you for the invitation, Mesquite Elementary – we look forward to next year!
ODE Statistics
Activity
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Type
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2024 Division Year to Date
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2024 Department Year to Date
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Calls for Service
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9,095
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40,153
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Officer-initiated Activity
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1,249
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11,308
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Gun-related Crime
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7
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54
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Homicide
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4
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16
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Traffic Citations
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540
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8,728
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Staffing
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Type
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2024 Division Year to Date
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2024 Department Year to Date
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Sworn Members
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110
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799
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Community Service Officers
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29
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143
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Professional Staff
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4
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245
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ODE in the Community
On March 7th, TPD Division East Officers Brian Trevino and Anissa Castle attended Career Day at TUSD’s Booth Fickett K8 Math/Science Magnet School. Officers spoke with the elementary and middle school students about careers in the Tucson Police Department and showed some of the cool tools and equipment officers use daily. I have no doubt that Officers Trevino and Castle recruited some future police officers, community service officers, and professional staff members and investigators. We look forward to seeing these kids lead our department in the future!
Division Advisory Committee
On March 5th, I walked into my first DAC meeting as Captain in Operations Division East. I was moved by the amount of support shown by our community members. I thank everyone for taking time out of their busy evening to come meet with me to voice concerns, make recommendations, and ask questions about our department’s direction moving forward.
As we discussed, TPD is committed to reducing violent gun crime, addressing the narcotics crisis, increasing traffic enforcement and safety, and staying committed to the health and wellness of our employees. We believe that public safety is the foundation of a safe and vibrant Tucson!
ODE Sergeant Gary Parrish Retires
On March 14th, Operations Division East said goodbye to Sergeant Gary Parrish.
Gary has been part of the TPD family for over 29 years!
Hired in March 1995, Gary was assigned to Operations Division South after the academy. He worked in patrol until he was selected for the Community Response Team in 1999.
Gary returned to patrol in 2003 and was later selected for the Surveillance Squad, where he worked until being assigned to the Undercover Unit in 2005.
Gary was promoted to Sergeant in 2007 and assigned to Operations Division West. He was transferred to the Gang Outreach Unit in 2011 and later selected for the Fraud Unit in 2012.
In 2013, he was selected as the Internet Crimes Against Children Sergeant. Gary returned to the role of Patrol Sergeant in ODE in 2018, and was selected as ODE Staff Sergeant in 2022. Gary, we all wish you well. Enjoy your retirement!
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Crime Prevention Tip
Summer's just around the corner and with it comes danger for pets and children.
Never leave a child or pet in a vehicle - even if a window is open. They can die from heat stroke in a matter of minutes. Not only is this a tragedy, it's also a crime.
It is possible to forget a sleeping pet or child in a back seat, which can lead to tragedy. Some cars have rear-seat reminders to alert parents not to leave children or pets in the car. If yours doesn't, there are car seat alarms you can buy. If that's not an option, you could use some other reminder, like a leash or some baby clothes on your lap, to help prevent the unthinkable.
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