Man who killed Kane County deputy in 2010 dies in Arizona prison

Man who killed Kane County deputy in 2010 dies in Arizona prison


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SALT LAKE CITY — The man who shot and killed a Kane County deputy over a decade ago has died while serving his sentence, Arizona authorities confirmed. On May 6, Arizona's Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry announced that Scott Curley, 37, died while at its Abrazo West Campus on May 2. KSL reached out to the Department of Corrections for more details on Curley's death, but was referred back to the press release, which only said he died, was housed at ASPC-Lewis and the death was being "investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner’s office."

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The multi-day manhunt

One of the many police officers and sheriff deputies searching for Scott Curley in 2010. (KSL TV)
One of the many police officers and sheriff deputies searching for Scott Curley in 2010. (KSL TV)

On Aug. 26, 2010, Kane County sheriff's deputy Brian B. Harris was shot and killed while tracking Curley, who was suspected of burglary, in the desert near Fredonia, Arizona. "Deputy Harris had begun a foot pursuit of the man in Kane County, but the man fled across the border into Arizona. As Deputy Harris tracked the man’s movements, he was ambushed and fatally struck by rifle fire," stated a memorial page for Harris. This prompted a four-day manhunt for Curley, since he was familiar with the area and officers were concerned for their safety.On Aug. 30, Curley was found after officers received a tip from a resident who reported that Curley was attempting to enter his home. Officers found Curley with the rifle that he used to kill Harris. Harris was well-known in the small community of Orderville, Utah, as a deputy who also served in Operation Desert Storm. [gallery ids="812424,812426,812435,812425,812423"]

Curley's Sentencing

Wearing shakles, handcuffs and a bullet-proof vest, Scott Curley is lead into 6th District Court for an extradition hearing Thursday, Sep. 2, 2010 in Kanab, Utah. Curley accused of killing a Utah sheriff's deputy has agreed to be extradited to Arizona to a face a first-degree murder charge. (AP Photo/The Spectrum, Jed Burkett)
Wearing shakles, handcuffs and a bullet-proof vest, Scott Curley is lead into 6th District Court for an extradition hearing Thursday, Sep. 2, 2010 in Kanab, Utah. Curley accused of killing a Utah sheriff's deputy has agreed to be extradited to Arizona to a face a first-degree murder charge. (AP Photo/The Spectrum, Jed Burkett)

According to Arizona's Department of Corrections, Curley pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, theft, aggravated assault, and first-degree murder in Coconino County, Arizona. In 2012, Curley was sentenced to life in prison, with a chance at parole after 25 years, according to court records. While in the Arizona prison system, Curley had several violations, such as possessing weapons, promoting prison contraband, and tampering with security or safety devices.

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