Arizona Highway Patrol conducts I-10 commercial vehicle detail in honor of fallen trooper

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Highway Patrol recently conducted a “Line of Duty Death Detail” focusing on commercial vehicle and “move over” violations along I-10.

The detail was conduced from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 11, 2025, on I-10 between Benson and Willcox, Arizona.

The operation was conducted as a gesture of remembrance for Officer Noah “Mack” Merrill.

According to AZDPS, on December 11, 1978, Merrill was conducting a traffic stop along I-10 east of Benson when he was struck and killed by a passing semi truck.

See below for key results from the I-10 operation:

• Traffic Stops: 81
• Total Citations: 48
• Total “Move Over Law” Citations: 27
• Hazardous Citations: 18
• Total Arrests: 2
• CMV Inspections: 30
• Total Driver Vehicle Examination Report Violations: 134
• Drivers Placed Out-Of-Service: 9
• Vehicles Placed Out-Of-Service: 4