PHOENIX, AZ (June 29, 2012) – Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery released the following statement on the recent attack on a Phoenix Police Officer by a suspect who was in the United States illegally:

“On June 26, 2012, a Phoenix Police Officer was assaulted by a suspect who had been deported numerous times, including a court ordered 10-year bar to reentry and a previous felony conviction for assault. This suspect allegedly entered a police vehicle and brazenly began punching the police officer who then drew his weapon. In the ensuing struggle, the suspect was shot and is currently in custody.

In a week in which the United States Supreme Court underscored the responsibility of the federal government to carry out immigration law and at a time when the current federal administration would tell us that ‘the border is more secure than ever,’ this incident reminds us that the federal government has failed us. I warned the current federal administration that failure to cooperate with local law enforcement may result in a situation where the blood of a victim would be on their hands should anyone unlawfully present in the United States hurt or kill someone.

This assault on a police officer by someone whom the federal government failed to properly preclude from reentry is the first incident following the administration’s childish cessation of 287(g) programs in reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling. It will not be the last, and if responsible steps are not taken to establish operational control of the border and uphold our immigration laws, I fear that the next incident may involve the loss of life.”

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