The Maricopa Police Department honored an officer wounded in an April 2025 Circle K shootout and recognized multiple officers, detectives, dispatchers and fire personnel for what the department described as “quick, decisive actions” during an officer-involved shooting one year ago.
Motorcycle officer Sebastian Sanchez received the department’s Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the line of duty. Sanchez also was named among recipients of the department’s Medal of Honor.
Sanchez was shot multiple times during a confrontation at a Circle K on John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road on Feb. 27, according to previously released details from Pinal County’s Special Investigative Unit. After about a week in the hospital, Sanchez was released and continued recovering at home, the department said at the time.
Authorities said the suspect, 37-year-old Keith Prock, a known violent felon, was spotted at the gas station just before 3 p.m. that Thursday. When officers approached, Prock fled and shot Sanchez in front of the store. In body-camera footage released after the shooting, Sanchez can be heard shouting “stop, man” before he is shot and falls to the ground.
Prock was pronounced dead at the scene after other officers continued the chase and shot him, investigators said.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers face every day to keep our community safe,” said Police Chief Mark Goodman in a statement released during the investigation. “Thankfully, our officer survived, and their prognosis is positive. However, they sustained serious injuries that will take time to heal.”
At the department’s awards and recognition ceremony last week, officials said several honors recognized actions taken during life-threatening emergencies, including providing immediate medical aid and lifesaving CPR, securing dangerous scenes, coordinating emergency response and running toward danger to protect others.
Along with Sanchez, police said awards were presented to Officer William Wetherell and two Criminal Investigations Division detectives who were also named Medal of Honor recipients.
Commendations were awarded to Sgt. Christopher Johnson, Officer Nathan Peterson, Cpl. Joshua Fox and Capt. Paul Neuman, as well as dispatchers Mandy Hogenes, Jessica Martin and Kendra Lange.
The department also recognized Engineer Damon Flaherty and Battalion Chief Nathan Maxcy.
Watch released bodycam of the Circle K shooting below. Viewer discretion is advised.
