Tempe police officer honored with MADD Hero Award accused in DUI case

A two-year veteran of the Tempe Police Department who worked in the traffic bureau has been placed on administrative leave as he is being investigated for DUI, authorities said.

Zachary Hyde, who has received a Hero Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, was off duty when he was arrested, Tempe police said Friday.

In a release, Tempe police stated in the early morning hours of July 31 the department learned of the investigation from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

“Any time a criminal investigation is brought to our attention about one of our officers, we take the matter very seriously,” the release stated.

The department immediately placed Hyde on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation, officials said.

The Department of Public Safety is handling the investigation into the case, the release stated.

Hyde was on the traffic bureau’s DUI squad, police said.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org .