Friends, others react to Trooper Tyler Edenhofer's death

PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- As news spread of a shooting that took the life of Tyler Edenhofer, a DPS trooper who was in his last days of field training, people are remembering the fallen officer.

Close friends of the fallen trooper say his priorities in life were doing the right thing, and protecting other people.

"His time in the Navy, he would tell me that was some of the best times of his life," said Trooper Edenhofer's friend, Cody Taylor. "It was an honor for him, and it was an honor for me to know him. He was a hero in my eyes. I really admired him."

Taylor also remembers a playful side to Trooper Edenhofer. He was on a bowling team with Trooper Edenhofer in Glendale for several years, back when they were teenagers.

"He averaged definitely above 180. He was a great bowler," said Taylor. "When we first started, we were both kind of struggling together, because it was my first year bowling, and I think it was his as well. It was either his first or second year bowling, and we enjoyed seeing each other's progress."

To lose such a good person, at such a young age, is so hard.

"I had the privilege of meeting some of his family. Very good people. I have nothing but good things to say about them, and I am so heartbroken for them and their loss," said Taylor. "I never could have imagine this happening to him, especially. Even though these men, these heroes put themselves in those situation every day, I couldn't imagine it actually happening to somebody I was good friends with."

For others around the Valley, news of Trooper Edenhofer's death hits too close to home.

"It's a sad day in Arizona today," said Sgt. James Warriner (Ret).

"Their life will forever change, moving forward, and i know what that was like," said Angela Harrolle.

At the Peace Officers Memorial near the Arizona State Capitol, Warriner pointed out the wall where his partner's name, Ed Rebel, is listed.

"I went straight back to the scene, out on I-10. Just west of Tucson, I was there, looking at Ed Rebel, the officer and co-worker. I could see him laying along side of the road," said Warriner. His partner was shot dead in 1988, while trying to arrest a suspect driving a stolen car. The incident happened decades ago, but Warriner said he still has flashbacks, especially after he heard of what happened to Trooper Edenhofer.

For Harrolle, she lost her husband, DPS Trooper Bruce Harrolle, in 2009. Trooper Harrolle, who was 36 at the time, died while assisting two lost and dehydrated hikers in Sedona, leaving behind his parents, Angela, and their children.

"I just remember when they came to my house. No one ever imagines that knock on the door, and it was devastating," said Angela. "With all these hopes and dreams and plans, and I had two little kids at the time and all of a sudden, everything just stops. Everything stops."

These days, Warriner works with Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), which helps family and fellow officers deal with a loss like this. Warriner had a message for Trooper Edenhofer's family.

"I just want them to know we will support them throughout their process," said Warriner. "It is a process, a life-long process. You have to learn how to establish a new normal."

Warriner went on to say he hopes to be in contact with Trooper Edenhofer's family after the funeral, so as to give Trooper Edenhofer's family some time to breath and mourn on their own.

Meanwhile, for Angela, she said what got her through her pain was organizations like the 100 club, which offered a emotional and financial helping hand. It also inspired her to help others like her. Like Warriner, Angela is also waiting for the right time to talk to Trooper Edenhofer's family.

"It takes some time to get through the shock and figure out what is the next step, because no one ever imagines they have to bury their child," said Angela.

GoFundMe for late DPS officer Tyler Edenhofer
https://www.gofundme.com/nnfgq-trooper-tyler-edenhofer