In Memoriam

Ernest Calvillo

Deputy

End of Watch: July 21, 1983

Deputy Ernest Calvillo and Sergeant Craig Newburn were working off-duty guarding movie equipment outside the Wagon Wheel Post Bar in Avra Valley.

A patron of the bar, John Rierson, who had just been involved in a bar-fight and had been asked to leave by the deputies, returned to the bar a few minutes later. As Deputy Calvillo and Sergeant Newburn were calming down Mr. Rierson in the parking lot, Mr. Rierson’s brother, Curtis Rierson, drove up and shot Deputy Calvillo. Sgt. Newburn then shot Curtis Rierson and was able to subdue and arrest John Rierson.

Deputy Calvillo was flown to University Emergency Center in Tucson, where he died a few hours later.

Deputy Calvillo was survived by his wife, Pat, and two daughters.

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