Off-duty DPS Officer found deceased at Scottsdale Resort

From DPS Director Robert Halliday – “It is with a heavy heart that I announce DPS has lost one of our sworn officers. Yesterday afternoon, Officer/Paramedic Mark Serna, was found deceased at a Scottsdale Resort. My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Mark’s family and to all the DPS employees. The investigation surrounding Mark’s death is on-going and in the very capable hands of the Phoenix Police Department.”

Officer/Paramedic Mark Serna, 43, of New River, was found alone in his hotel room. There were no signs of foul play.

Mark Serna was nine year veteran of the Department of Public Safety. He began his career at DPS as patrolman in Casa Grande in 2001. He joined the Central Air Rescue Unit as a Paramedic in 2003. There are several letters of appreciation in his personnel file.

Mark was born in Silver City, New Mexico, and graduated from Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona. Mark previously worked for the Cottonwood Fire Department and the Cottonwood Police Department before joining DPS in 2001.

Mark Serna is survived by his parents and three children.

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