Police Officer Clayton Joel Townsend, Salt River Police Department, Tribal Police

Police Officer Clayton Joel Townsend

Salt River Police Department, Tribal Police

End of Watch Tuesday, January 8, 2019

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Clayton Joel Townsend

Police Officer Clayton Townsend was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop on northbound State Route 101 just south of McDowell Road, in Scottsdale at 6:00 pm.

He was approaching the car he had stopped when another vehicle struck him and then struck the stopped vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The driver who struck him admitted to texting and driving at the time of the crash. He was charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and endangerment.

Officer Townsend had served with the Salt River Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife and 10-month-old child.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle
Location Arizona

distracted driver, traffic stop

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Townsend, earlier this afternoon I was at work at the Daytona Beach International Airport here in Florida when I came across a lady wearing a "back the blue" tee shirt. I thanked her for her support at which time she told me that her son in law had been an officer in Arizona and had been killed in the line of duty. She then gave me your name and I told her I would look you up on this page.

thank you for your service brother. Rest in Pease and until Valhalla.

Robert Culver, retired.
Holly Hill Police Department

Robert Culver
Holly Hill Police Department

May 6, 2025