An Arizona cop has been accused of ‘sickening’ cover-up after a woman was killed in a fatal hit-and-run – and he allegedly returned to the scene to ‘investigate.’
Mom-of-two Iris Billy, 30, was hit and killed on State Route 73 in Arizona by a driver at 3.30am on the morning of Thanksgiving. The person driving the car fled the scene – and police launched their hunt for the driver.
Police in charge of the investigation quickly realized that the main suspect in the hit-and-run was in fact another officer.
Josh Anderson, 49, an officer of the White Mountain Apache Police Deptartment, was arrested and is facing a slew of criminal charges. Anderson’s patrol vehicle was found with damage that was ‘consistent with a collision with a pedestrian.’
He was on duty when the crash happened – and he even responded to the scene later on, and then went to Billy’s family home with other officers to inform her family with the news that Billy had died.
Josh Anderson, 49, an officer of the White Mountain Apache Police Deptartment, was arrested and is facing charges. Anderson’s patrol vehicle had damage that was ‘consistent with a collision with a pedestrian’
Mom-of-two Iris Billy, 30, was hit and killed on State Route 73 in Arizona by a driver at 3.30am on the morning of Thanksgiving. The person driving the car fled the scene – and police started their hunt for the suspect
Anderson, a tribal officer who had spent two decades in the force, was charged with assault, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault causing serious physical injury, and criminal negligence.
He was also charged with reckless driving, interference with an officer, death caused by a vehicle and leaving the scene of a fatality collision.
The case has been turned over to the FBI – and the sheriff’s office said Anderson resigned following his arrest.
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘This is an extremely sad time for the family of the victim, the men and women at the White Mountain Apache Police Department, and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
‘This event is an isolated incident and is not a reflection of the fine police officers that serve and protect the citizens of the White Mountain Apache Reservation every day.
‘The White Mountain Apache Police Department acted in a swift, transparent, and aggressive manner to find the facts and document the incident.
‘Their professionalism and vigilance throughout the investigation resulted in the ability to gather evidence and facts surrounding the death of Iris Billy.’
Billy’s sister, Phylene Burnette, said: ‘It is very disturbing, sickening and heartless.
Speaking about Billy’s children, Imani, 10 and Kolby, 9, the sister said: ‘They still need her. She was the sole parent, she was everything to them’
The case has now been turned over to the FBI – and the sheriff’s office said Anderson resigned following his arrest
‘Whatever he did to her, he came back to the scene and helped investigate. And he (Anderson) was one of the four officers that came to my parent’s house to break the news to them.
‘We were expecting her home that morning.’
Speaking about Billy’s children, Imani, 10. and Kolby, nine, the sister said: ‘They still need her. She was the sole parent, she was everything to them.
‘To know it was someone in our local police department, emotions are all over the place. It’s sadness and anger, like why? He needs to stay in jail.’
Brian Swanty, the chief deputy, said: ‘They started to recognize there was a police car that was there (at the scene) that had some damage on it, but again, in rural Arizona, our cars get torn up sometimes because officers go to the forest.
‘But as the investigation continued, there was more and more indication saying something just isn’t fitting here.
‘Who would ever think it was the police car involved that’s now back on scene? That is just not normal.
‘I can’t imagine that scenario there at all, Next of kin are probably one of the worse assignments to be given let alone knowing you had something to do with it, I can’t imagine that.
The scene of the crash in eastern Arizona
‘Had he stopped, rendered aid like the rest of us would be required to do, we wouldn’t be speaking today.’
Iris’ twin sister Inez wrote on social media: ‘JOSH ANDERSON killed my twin sister Iris!!!! Why isn’t the White Mountain Apache Police Department mentioning his name on their FB post!!! He hit my sister while he was on duty in his police vehicle!!
‘Left her there and went back to the scene, then he came to my parent’s house with 3 other officers to inform them of my sisters passing!! How can one be so heartless!!!!
‘He is pure evil and I hope he rots in prison!!!! I have so many questions, why why why. I love you Chubb, I’m so sorry this should have never happened to you!!!!’
A GoFundMe post read: ‘My sister, Iris was in a hit & run on the morning of Thanksgiving. We have so many questions although the police report has not been done or released they do have the suspect in custody.
‘The suspect is a police officer from the White Mountain Apache Police Dept Joshua Anderson.
‘He was the one who bumped her came back to the scene to ‘help’, then came to our parent’s house with 3 other officers to give the news that it was her that was the victim. She has left behind 2 boys Imani-10 & Kolby-9.’
The Former Chairwoman Of The White Mountain Apache Tribe, Gwendena Lee, said that the news had devastated the small community.
She wrote: ‘The tragic and violent death of Iris in our small tight knit community brings heartache and sorrow to all of us.
‘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.
‘I have had the distinct honor of working with Lorene (the mother of Iris) in various capacities at the Tribe and at Theodore Roosevelt School as School Board members alongside Cline Griggs.
‘I am very mindful that words cannot match the depths of your sorrow Lorene, nor of your husband, children especially the grandchildren who have lost their Mom. Nor can the words heal your wounded hearts.’