NEWS

Mesa officer killed in wrong-way crash

Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial for Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza outside the Mesa Police Department headquarters Monday (May 12, 2014). Mendoza was killed when his car was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Tempe Interstate 10-U.S. 60 interchange on his way home after his shift.
Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial for Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza outside the Mesa Police Department headquarters Monday (May 12, 2014). Mendoza was killed when his car was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Tempe Interstate 10-U.S. 60 interchange on his way home after his shift.
Michael Chow/The Republic
Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza
Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza
Handout Photo
Mourners comfort each other at a makeshift memorial for Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza outside the Mesa Police Department headquarters Monday (May 12, 2014).
Mourners comfort each other at a makeshift memorial for Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza outside the Mesa Police Department headquarters Monday (May 12, 2014).
Michael Chow/The Republic
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead (center) and others gather outside of the Maricopa Medical Center on May 12, 2014, after hearing that Officer Brandon Mendoza was killed in a crash. Mendoza was killed early in the morning by a driver who drove more than 30 miles in the wrong direction on Valley freeways before colliding head-on with the officer near the U.S. 60 interchange with Interstate 10.
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead (center) and others gather outside of the Maricopa Medical Center on May 12, 2014, after hearing that Officer Brandon Mendoza was killed in a crash. Mendoza was killed early in the morning by a driver who drove more than 30 miles in the wrong direction on Valley freeways before colliding head-on with the officer near the U.S. 60 interchange with Interstate 10.
Mark Henle/The Republic
A motorcade escorting the body of Mesa Officer Brandon Mendoza leaves the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on May 12, 2014.
A motorcade escorting the body of Mesa Officer Brandon Mendoza leaves the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on May 12, 2014.
Mark Henle/The Republic
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead answers questions on May 12, 2014, outside of the Maricopa Medical Center about the death of off-duty Officer Brandon Mendoza.
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead answers questions on May 12, 2014, outside of the Maricopa Medical Center about the death of off-duty Officer Brandon Mendoza.
Mark Henle/The Republic
A motorcadeescorting the body of Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza leaves the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on May 12, 2014.
A motorcadeescorting the body of Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza leaves the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on May 12, 2014.
Mark Henle/The Republic
Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza
Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza
Mesa Police Department
A motorcade escorting the body of Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza leaves the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on Monday, May 12, 2014.
A motorcade escorting the body of Mesa police Officer Brandon Mendoza leaves the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on Monday, May 12, 2014.
Mark Henle/The Republic
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead (center, with jacket) and others gather outside of the Maricopa Medical Center on Monday, May 12, 2014, after hearing that Mesa Officer Brandon Mendoza was killed.
Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead (center, with jacket) and others gather outside of the Maricopa Medical Center on Monday, May 12, 2014, after hearing that Mesa Officer Brandon Mendoza was killed.
Mark Henle/The Republic