Sheriff Paul Penzone confirmed Monday morning that the Maricopa County Sheriff deputy who was reportedly attacked by a suspect at one of their substations has died.

Sheriff Deputy Juan Ruiz, who has been with the department for nearly three years, never regainedconsciousness after the attack.

Sheriff officials report that 30-year-old Clinton Robert Hurley was being processed for felony warrants when he assaulted the deputy at a substation near Van Buren Street and Dysart Road.

The suspect reportedly beat the deputy unconscious during the attack. The deputy attempted to radio for help multiple times.

Deputies who responded to help the injured deputy, placed him in a squad car and rushed him to the hospital. He was placed on life support.

After the assault, Hurley fled the scene in the sheriff’s Tahoe. According to MCSO Sheriff Paul Penzone, he later deserted the Tahoe and carjacked another vehicle.

The suspect was shot by a homeowner when he attempted to break into their home near 373rd Avenue and Buckeye Road in Tonopah.  In a strange turn of events, officials reported that the suspect and the homeowner actually knew each other and have a long history of not getting along.

Responding officers were able to locate Hurley nearby with a gunshot wound and took him into custody. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

“During a time when men and women in law enforcement face scrutiny, sometimes demonization, or expected to be perfect and underappreciated –  but a scumbag piece of (expletive) out of the Department of Corrections can put him on life support when he comes to work every day in uniform to keep this community safe,” Penzone said.

“So now the question is, what is this community willing to do to make sure that this suspect goes back to prison or somewhere else for the actions against this deputy?” he added. “Because this is not a singular issue.”

Hurley had been released from the Dept. of Corrections last December and had been in custody for sexual offenses against children.

Anyone with information is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.