MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. – A 21-year old Mohave County Sheriff’s deputy died Saturday night when he lost control of his patrol car and left the highway as he neared the end of his work shift.  The deputy had only completed the police academy in December, officials reported.

Deputy Phillip Rodriguez

Deputy Phillip Rodriguez was the sole occupant of the patrol car when, for unknown reasons, it crashed near milepost 34 on Interstate 40 about 11 p.m., April 21 as he was responding to a call in the Kingman area.  According to a news release, he was ejected from the marked car and died on scene.

According to Detective Mason with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Deputy Rodriguez was a Police Explorer with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office for several years prior to his graduation from the police academy in December 2006 when he became a certified police officer.

Roger Vanderpool, Arizona Department of Public Safety Director, stated, “It is devastating to lose such a young police officer. Deputy Rodriguez had his whole life in front of him. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.”  He is survived by his mother and sister.