4
COMMUNITY NEWS
FARRAR
THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 9, 2021
from page 1
Police K9 United, was working a relief shift for an absent employee. It was something Officer Farrar often did because it was his nature to serve the department whenever help was needed. “He didn’t have to be there that night,” Schuhrke noted. Officer Farrar’s kind, generous nature was a recurring theme among all the anecdotes that were shared by the large crowd of grieving officers and civilians. It also was mentioned within hours after his death when Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan held a pre-dawn news conference April 30 to announce the loss of his man. “Every day he came to work, he made a difference,” an emotional Duggan said. “In the course of 18 years, he touched many lives. “So I just ask that you keep Chris’ family in your prayers and just take a moment and remember and be mindful of the brave men and women who are out there daily helping to keep our community safe.” Officer Farrar was described as a dedicated public servant and his work was acknowledged in 2010 after his agency honored him with its “Community Service Award.” He held multiple positions throughout the department during his career, including the patrol division and bicycle team prior to his assignment to the K9 unit – a job those who knew him said
Officer Rico Aranda he had long sought. “Christopher received numerous commendations and accolades from community members, business owners, co-workers, and supervisors during his career,” the department said in a release. “He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor in 2004, the Community Service Award in 2009, the Spotlight Award in 2019, and a four-time recipient of the Lifesaving Award.” Noting that the slain officer is survived by his mother and father, brother, sister, daughter, two sons and grandchild, the department release also stated, “He was a son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and dedicated police officer.” Tributes and expressions of sympathy for Officer Farrar flooded social media within hours after his death was announced.
People posted handwritten notes in tribute of Officer Farrar at the May 1 memorial serice and then hung them with clothespins on a special wall for his family. (Pablo Robes/Staff)
“It’s just tragic,” said Chandler Councilman Matt Orlando. “These guys and gals put their life on the line every day and we just got to keep supporting them and making a better police force.” Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, other City Council members and county Supervisor Jack Sellers all expressed condolences. Police departments across Arizona lowered their flags half-mast and paid tribute to him, as did numerous local and state officials. Ordinary citizens also posted numerous expressions of grief and gratitude.
“My heart aches for the family of this officer,” wrote a man on a Gilbert community Facebook page. “These men and women are true heroes. They wake up every day and put their life on the line to protect and serve. May he RIP.” Attendees at the May 1 memorial recalled Officer Farrar’s willingness to volunteer for church activities or to offer his mentorship to aspiring police officers. He was always full of energy, Schuhrke said, and seemed to embody the eagerness of a manic cartoon character. See
FARRAR on page 5
Arrest report describes harrowing encounter BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer
A Tolleson man accused of ramming a stolen car into a group of officers, killing Chandler Officer Christoper Farrar and severely injuring a Gillbert officer, remains in jail on a $3-million cash bail. Jonathon J. Altland, Jr., 25, faces a first-degree murder charge of Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar, 50. A preliminary hearing was set for May 10. Gilbert Officer Rico Aranda suffered head injuries during the April 29 violent confrontation but was showing signs of improvement, according to Gilbert Police. “We are encouraged by Gilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda’s recovery progress,” Gilbert Police said May 3. “We are happy to report that he is responding well to treatment and we expect him to be transferred within a couple days out of ICU and into neurological treatment and recovery.” Altland worked for FPS Civil LLC, according to police documents. Very little detail about Altland was included in the report. His record appears limited to several traffic violations, including a stop-sign civil infraction in January. and in October 2020, he was cited for reckless driving and driving over 85 mph, according to Maricopa County Justice Courts. The latter, a criminal case, was adjudicated. Altland purchased his house in Tolleson with a girlfriend in 2019, according to county property records.
The suspect in Officer Farrar's death crashed this stolen truck that he drove from Eloy into a fence at San Tan Ford in Gilbert. (Courtesy of ABC15)
The April 29 incident began after Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Altland for speeding in a yellow pickup truck. It was later determined the pickup was stolen. As Altland began to yield, he started shooting at the deputy’s vehicle, according to police. Altland then fled north on State Route 87, reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing through a gate at Chandler Municipal Airport, where he drove onto the runway, police said. He left the airport and drove the wrong way on surface streets and then
on the Loop 202 Santan Freeway as Chandler and Gilbert police, Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers and PCSO gave chase Gilbert Police were alerted to the pursuit at 10:35 p.m. Altland then crashed his vehicle on the northern embankment of the 202 west of Val Vista Drive and fled on foot. He entered the maintenance area of the San Tan Ford dealership at the Motorplex Loop and was confronted by a janitorial staff. Two custodians observed Altland with a handgun. Police said Altland threatened the
dealership manager, “stating he had a gun and would shoot him,” police said. The manager followed Altland out to a vehicle bay area and was told to turn off the lights. The manager responded he could not do so and fled from the service bay. Meanwhile law enforcement had surrounded the building. Altland stole a vehicle and crashed through a closed bay door. “The suspect sped out of the service bay area, veering and accelerating directly towards one group of officers who feared for their lives and discharged their firearms,” the police documents read. “The suspect did not stop and continued fleeing through the parking lot and drove directly toward” Farrar, fatally striking him. Altland continued what police called “an intentional attack,” driving toward other officers in the parking lot, who fired their weapons at him. Altland next struck another officer and then slammed his car into a parked vehicle, directly injuring Aranda who was near it, police said. Police reported six people in total were injured by the suspect, including the dealership manager. According to Gilbert Police, Pinal County deputies were expected to submit charges related to its involvement with the initial traffic stop and attempted murder of an officer and Chandler Police will be submitting charges related to the suspect entering the airport.
