Man dies outside of DPS substation

Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM COUNTY – A man died outside of the Arizona Department of Public Safety substation just east of Safford on Aug. 4.

First responders were dispatched at about 6:54 a.m. to the area of the substation regarding a medical call. Upon arrival, a man, later identified as Steven LeRoy Harrison, 73, was found sitting in the passenger seat of a truck and was not breathing. 

A Safford officer was first on scene and assisted the driver of the truck in removing Harrison to the ground. The officer then began chest compressions. 

A short time later, a Graham County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived as well as paramedics from Lifeline Ambulance. Paramedics then administered two shocks from an AED machine. 

Harrison was still unresponsive, however, so he was placed on a gurney and transported to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center via ambulance with the Safford officer continuing chest compressions. Harrison was then later declared deceased at the hospital. 

No more information on the cause of death was available.