Arizona inmate sentenced for beating deputy to death

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. (TCN) -- A 34-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for beating a sheriff's office deputy to death during an arrest.

According to a Feb. 21 news release from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Clinton Hurley pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, theft, three counts of aggravated assault, four counts of attempt to commit armed robbery, two counts of theft of means of transportation, two counts of robbery, and misconduct involving weapons in connection with the death of Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy Juan "Johnny" Ruiz. Hurley received a sentence of life in prison.

On Oct. 9, 2021, authorities arrested Hurley on multiple felony warrants, and he was taken into custody at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office substation in Avondale. While there, Ruiz reportedly took off Hurley's handcuffs and placed him in a cell. The defendant became "combative," beating Ruiz with the blunt end of a pair of medical shears, and he continued to punch him while he was on the floor. Ruiz died from his injuries days later at a hospital.

According to the attorney's office, Hurley grabbed Ruiz's keys, escaped, and fled in the victim's patrol car. Hurley reportedly stole one of Ruiz's guns from the vehicle and then tried to steal a truck before taking a car from another individual. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office posted a bulletin shortly after, asking anyone with information about Hurley's whereabouts to come forward.

Authorities arrested Hurley later that night in Tonopah "after firing shots at a family outside a home and being shot by the homeowner."

In court, Ruiz's brother spoke about "the pride he felt when his brother became a deputy," and he explained "the tremendous loss his death was for their family."

The brother continued, "We cannot bring him back, so I just hope this puts an end to our grief."

Prosecutors noted that members of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, including Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, were in court during Hurley's sentencing.

County Attorney Rachel Mitchell added, "I have said this many times and I’m going to say it again; we must protect our men and women in law enforcement and never tolerate violence against them."

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