Holly MatkinBuckeye, AZ – Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Detention Officer Justin Folsome died on Tuesday, after a semi-truck ran into the back end of his vehicle as he was driving down the interstate.
The fatal collision occurred as Detention Officer Folsome was traveling along State Route 85 on Tuesday morning, the MCSO said in a Facebook post later in the day.
The truck driver who rear-ended Detention Officer Folsome’s car was transported to a local hospital, where he was later admitted, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) told KTVK on Wednesday.
The MCSO did not release any further details, and noted that the Arizona DPS is handling the ongoing investigation into the crash.
The Maricopa County Risk Management Department will evaluate the circumstances of the collision to determine whether or not Detention Officer Folsome was on duty when he was killed, The Arizona Republic reported.
“This loss is tragic and heartbreaking,” Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said in the department’s Facebook post. “I ask that Officer Folsome’s family receive all the love and support possible during this time of sadness and loss.”
Detention Officer Folsome joined the MCSO in June of 2012, The Arizona Republic reported.
He was assigned to the department’s Intake, Transfer and Release facility at the time of his death.
The MCSO asked the community to keep Detention Officer Folsome’s family, friends, and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers.
He leaves behind his wife, Nicole, and three children, according to a Facebook post made by his mother, Karen Folsome.
It is with great sadness that we share one of our employees, Detention Officer Folsome, was killed earlier today when his vehicle was rear-ended by a semi-truck on State Route 85. pic.twitter.com/jhSZjeqyhw
— Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (@mcsoaz) November 25, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer Justin Folsome, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
