Tribal Police Officer Allegedly Kills Single Mother in Hit-and-Run, Returns to Scene as Investigator

In a shocking turn of events, a tribal police officer in Arizona is accused of fatally striking a single mother of two in a hit-and-run accident and then returning to the scene as one of the investigators. The incident has left the community reeling and has raised questions about the integrity of the police department.

Josh Anderson, a 49-year-old officer with the White Mountain Apache Police Department, is charged with killing Iris Billy, 30, in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving. According to authorities, Anderson fled the scene after hitting Billy with his patrol car. However, he later returned to the scene and joined three other officers in informing Billy's parents of their daughter's death.

Billy's sister, Phylene Burnette, expressed shock and anger over Anderson's alleged actions. "To know it was someone in our local police department, emotions are all over the place. It's sadness and anger, like why?" Burnette told Arizona Family.

Tribal police quickly identified Anderson as a suspect after noticing damage to his patrol car that was consistent with a collision with a pedestrian. 

Anderson was arrested and charged with tribal violations of assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault causing serious physical injury, and criminal negligence. He is also facing charges of reckless driving, interference with an officer, death caused by a vehicle, and leaving the scene of a fatality collision.

Anderson has resigned from the police department, where he served for 20 years, and the case has been turned over to the FBI.

The incident has sparked outrage within the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Former chairwoman Gwendena Lee expressed her condolences to the Billy family and called the incident "tragic and violent."

"The tragic and violent death of Iris in our small, tight-knit community brings heartache and sorrow to all of us," Lee wrote on Facebook. "My prayers and all of our prayers go out to the Billy family. We feel and extend great sympathy for the Billy family's broken heart."

The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement. It is also a tragic loss for a community that is now grieving the loss of a loving mother and sister.

[SOURCE]