Body Found In The Verde River Identified As The Suspect Wanted In An Officer Shooting

A body found in the Verde River Friday has been identified as the suspect in the shooting of a Yavapai Apache Police officer earlier this month. Yavapai Apache Nation Police say the body of a Hispanic male was found in the Verde River near the Tunlii Crossing at around 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. An autopsy has confirmed the body has been identified as 39-year-old Valentin Rodriguez, who was wanted in connection in the shooting of Sergeant Preston Brogdon back on February 9th. The body was found by a father and son who were fishing and saw a body in the river and immediately called 911. Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies, along with Camp Verde Marshal’s, the FBI and Yavapai Apache Police responded to the scene. The official Medical Examiner reports are still pending and the FBI is still conducting its investigation.