PHOENIX — A Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy is in critical condition after he was injured Saturday morning near Avondale.
A manhunt for the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Clinton Hurley, is currently underway. He is being described as armed and dangerous.
Hurley and was in a correctional facility until December 2020 after being charged with attempt to commit molestation of a child, according to court records.
Sheriff Paul Penzone said Hurley attacked the deputy while being processed for felony warrants. He fled the scene in the deputy's vehicle before abandoning it and carjacking a second vehicle.
Hurley has two outstanding warrants. He is described as a white man, 5-foot-9-inches, 190 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt and blue jeans.
The deputy is currently on life support after being found unconscious and bleeding, Penzone said. He is a 3-year veteran of the sheriff's office.
"As I stand here in front of you, I can't help but express that during a time when men and women in law enforcement, who face scrutiny, sometimes demonization, or are expected to be perfect, and underappreciated, that a scumbag piece of [expletive] out of the Department of Corrections can put him on life support," Penzone said.
The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. near an MCSO substation at Dysart Road and Van Buren Street.
A $10,000 reward has been announced for the whereabouts of Hurley, Penzone said.
MCSO did not provide further details as to how the deputy was injured.
This is a developing story and 12 News will bring more details as they become available.
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