Police Officer John R. Davis, Sr., Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

Police Officer John R. Davis, Sr.

Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Friday, August 6, 1982

Add to My Heroes

John R. Davis, Sr.

Police Officer John Davis and Police Officer Nacho Conchos were shot and killed when they entered the Valley Squire Cocktail Lounge at 44 East Southern in Phoenix, searching for a bank robbery suspect.

At 2:33 pm, a man robbed a bank and fled. Witnesses observed him entering the Valley Squire Cocktail Lounge. Twenty minutes later, Officer Davis and Officer Conchos were in plainclothes and entered the bar searching for the robbery suspect. The subject fired seven shots at the officers before they drew their weapons. Although shot, Officer Davis returned fire and hit the suspect.

Officer Davis was transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds one month later. Officer Conchos died at the scene.

The suspect, 25, an illegal alien, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On October 15, 2022, he was still in prison.

Officer Davis was a United States Army veteran and served with the Phoenix Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and a grandson.

JR Davis Elementary School in Phoenix is named after Officer Davis.

Bio

Age 48
Tour 12 years
Badge 1841
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Thursday, July 1, 1982
Weapon Not available
Offender Sentenced to life

robbery, suspicious person

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 36 Reflections

As a young officer, I guarded John in the hospital on shift 3. Big John was not just a nickname. His feet hung over the end of the bed 6 inches. I told him for the money they charged, they could at least find a bed that fits. He was able to talk for the first few nights but after I returned from my days off, he mostly slept. He was a respected cop and I think of him often these may years later. I ended up with many more sad memories of friends lost but John was the first. Those were the guys I looked up to. Still do.

PPD retired
Phoenix Police Department

September 21, 2022