Tucson, Arizona — On the morning of April 13, an intense incident unfolded in the 5700 block of E. Fairmount Street, leading to the Tucson Police Department (TPD) releasing body-camera footage of their confrontation with 34-year-old Jaime Herrera.
The situation involved multiple agencies, including the Public Safety Communication Department (PSCD), TPD, and Tucson Fire Department (TFD), all responding to reports of an erratic individual armed with multiple weapons on a neighbor’s roof.
PSCD received numerous 911 calls about Herrera, who appeared to be under the influence of a substance and behaving erratically. One caller mentioned that Herrera had consumed a drink causing him to “trip out.” Upon arrival, TPD officers found Herrera armed with two knives and making threatening statements. During the standoff, Herrera threw a brick at an officer, prompting the request for additional support, including Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers.
Herrera ran across the rooftop with a knife and brick in hand as officers attempted to communicate with him in both English and Spanish, offering him water to de-escalate the situation. Herrera eventually moved to the edge of the roof and climbed into a tree before falling to the ground, still armed. At this moment, an officer deployed his Taser.
A struggle ensued as Herrera resisted arrest. During the altercation, an officer managed to kick away one of Herrera’s knives. Herrera then charged at the officer, who pushed him to the ground. In the ensuing fight, Herrera bit the officer’s thumb. With the arrival of additional officers, they finally subdued Herrera, placing him in handcuffs and positioning him in the recovery position to ensure his safety.
As Herrera appeared to be losing consciousness, officers encouraged him to stay awake. TFD medics were then allowed to enter the scene, providing immediate medical care. To prevent Herrera from causing harm to himself or others, officers used a bio guard to protect against bodily fluids and a WRAP device, a modern restraint tool designed for safe transportation.
Herrera was placed on a gurney and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, with TFD paramedics continuing to administer care and conducting a rapid patient assessment during the journey. The injured officer was also taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
While en route to the hospital, Herrera suffered a cardiac event. TFD medics promptly performed CPR and advanced life support interventions, successfully reviving him with a pulse and respirations. Despite these efforts, Herrera passed away nine days later in the hospital. The cause of his cardiac event remains unclear.
This incident highlights the complex and dangerous situations law enforcement officers face, as well as the critical need for effective crisis intervention and medical support during emergencies.
