Search fatalities

John Graff

Age : 33

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 07/19/2026

Location : 67th Avenue near Grand Avenue and Northern Avenue

City : Glendale

County : Maricopa

State : Arizona

Agency : Glendale Police Department; Peoria Police Department; Phoenix Police Department

Officer(s) :Not disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/19/2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m., Glendale Police Department officers responded to the intersection of 67th Avenue and Grand Avenue after receiving reports of a man unconscious behind the wheel of a pickup truck. When officers approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as John Graff, 33, suddenly accelerated and repeatedly rammed multiple Glendale police patrol vehicles in an effort to escape.
After forcing his way through the patrol vehicles, Graff continued driving away. Rather than engaging in a traditional high-speed pursuit, Glendale police coordinated a tracking operation using undercover officers along with air support from the Phoenix and Peoria police departments. Authorities monitored the vehicle from a distance as it traveled through several West Valley communities.
The incident ended in a residential neighborhood near 94th Avenue and Glendale Avenue. Graff stopped the vehicle, exited while armed with a handgun, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before officers took him into custody. Emergency medical personnel responded, but he was pronounced dead.
Subsequent investigation identified the decedent as John Graff, 33. Glendale police stated Graff had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and stolen her pickup truck before officers first encountered him. Detectives recovered a handgun from the scene and processed both the truck and the damaged patrol vehicles.
Glendale Police Department detectives conducted the investigation with assistance from participating agencies. The circumstances surrounding the initial assault, vehicle theft, and police response remained under investigation following the incident.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/driver-dead-after-ramming-glendale-police-cars