Mesa Police Department remembers 17.5 year veteran

Mesa Police Department is remembering a longtime veteran of the force, following his death in a motorcycle accident.

According to a statement released by Detective Steve Berry Tuesday evening, Officer Kurt Allen Carlson was killed in the single vehicle accident, which happened in the state of Washington.

Officer Carlson, according to the statement, served as a patrol officer, Mesa Family Advocacy Center detective, and had, since 2007, worked at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Officer Carlson was the unit trainer for the Airport Unit, and trained every current member on airfield driving and airport familiarity.

Officer Carlson, according to the statement, left behind a wife and two children.