Arizona tribal cop is accused of ‘sickening’ cover-up after fatal hit-and-run on Thanksgiving: Mowed down woman, 30, and then returned to the scene to ‘investigate’ – even going to her parents home with other officers to tell them she was dead

An Arizona cop has been accused of a ‘sickening’ cover-up after a woman was killed in a fatal collision – and he is said to have returned to the scene to ‘investigate’.

Mother of two Iris Billy, 30, was struck and killed by a driver on State Route 73 in Arizona at 3:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. The person driving the car fled and police began looking for the driver.

The police in charge of the investigation soon realized that the main suspect in the collision was in fact another officer.

Josh Anderson, 49, an officer with the White Mountain Apache Police Department, was arrested and faces a slew of criminal charges. Anderson’s patrol vehicle was found with damage “consistent with a collision with a pedestrian.”

He was on duty when the crash occurred – and he even responded to the scene later, then went to Billy’s family’s home with other officers to inform her family with the news that Billy had died.

Anderson, a tribal officer who spent 20 years on the force, was charged with assault, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and criminal negligence.

He was also charged with reckless driving, obstructing an officer, death caused by vehicle and leaving the scene of a fatal collision.

The case was turned over to the FBI — and the sheriff’s office said Anderson resigned after his arrest.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said, “This is an extremely sad time for the victim’s family, the men and women of the White Mountain Apache Police Department and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

“This event is an isolated incident and is not a reflection of the fine police officers who serve and protect the citizens of the White Mountain Apache Reservation every day.

“The White Mountain Apache Police Department acted in a swift, transparent and aggressive manner to determine the facts and document the incident.

“Their professionalism and vigilance throughout the investigation resulted in the ability to gather evidence and facts surrounding the death of Iris Billy.”

Billy’s sister, Phylene Burnette, said: ‘It’s very disturbing, sickening and heartless.

“Whatever he did to her, he came back to the scene and assisted in the investigation. And he (Anderson) was one of four officers who came to my parents’ house to tell them the news.

“We were expecting her home that morning.”

Speaking about Billy’s children, Imani, 10, and Kolby, nine, the sister said: ‘They still need her. She was the only parent, she was everything to them.

‘To know that it was someone from our local police, emotions are all over the place. It’s sadness and anger, like why? He should stay in jail.”

Brian Swanty, the chief deputy, said, “They started recognizing that there was a police car (on scene) that had some damage, but again, in rural Arizona, sometimes our cars get torn up because officers go into the woods.”

‘But as the investigation progressed, more and more indications emerged that something was wrong here.

‘Who would have thought that it was the police car involved that is now back on the scene? That’s just not normal.

‘I can’t imagine that scenario there at all. Survivors are probably one of the worst assignments you can get, let alone knowing you had something to do with it, I can’t imagine.

“If he had stopped and rendered aid like the rest of us should, we wouldn’t be talking today.”

Iris’ twin sister Inez wrote on social media: ‘JOSH ANDERSON killed my twin sister Iris!!!! Why doesn’t the White Mountain Apache Police include his name in their FB post!!! He hit my sister while on duty in his police vehicle!!

‘He left her there and went back to the scene, after which he came to my parents’ house with three other officers to inform them of my sisters’ death!! How can someone be so heartless!!!!

“He is pure evil and I hope he rots in jail!!!! I have so many questions, why why why. I love you Chubb, I’m so sorry this should never have happened to you!!!!’

A GoFundMe post read: “My sister, Iris, was in a car accident the morning of Thanksgiving. We have so many questions, although the police report has not been done or released yet, they do have the suspect in custody.

“The suspect is a police officer with Joshua Anderson, White Mountain Apache Police Department.

“He was the one who bumped into her, came back on the scene to ‘help’ and then came to our parents’ house with three other officers to break the news that she was the victim. She left behind two boys Imani-10 and Kolby-9.”

Former White Mountain Apache Tribe Chairman Gwendena Lee said the news had devastated the small community.

She wrote: ‘The tragic and violent death of Iris in our small, close-knit community brings heartache and sadness to us all.

“My prayers and all our prayers go out to the Billy family. We feel and express great sympathy for the broken heart of the Billy family.

“I have had the distinct honor of working with Lorene (Iris’ mother) in various capacities at the Tribe and at Theodore Roosevelt School as school board members alongside Cline Griggs.

‘I am aware that words cannot express the depth of your grief, Lorene, nor that of your husband, and of your children and especially of the grandchildren who have lost their mother. Nor can words heal your wounded heart.”