Ariz. Police Officer Dies Nearly Week after Shooting During Traffic Stop
By Joe Vince
Source Officer.com News
What to know
- Apache Junction Police Officer Gabriel Facio died Sunday from injuries he suffered during a June 2 shootout with an armed suspect during a traffic stop.
- Facio, who was originally from Mexico, had worked with the department for three years and had previously served as a Phoenix police officer.
- He is the first Apache Junction officer to die the line of duty and Arizona's first law enforcement line-of-duty fatality of the year.
An Arizona police officer died Sunday from injuries he suffered when he was nearly a week ago during a traffic stop.
Apache Junction Police Officer Gabriel Facio had responded to a June 2 call involving a driver wielding a gun, The Arizona Republic reports. A gun battle erupted when Facio confronted the suspect, and both were wounded in the exchange.
"A little piece of us was lost as Officer Facio took his last breath surrounded by family and friends," Chief Michael Pooley said during a Sunday news conference. "He was a beloved father, husband, son, brother, friend and police officer who showed his passion for people through his service to others."
Facio, who was originally from Mexico, had been with the department for three years, and he served with the Phoenix Police Department before that. He is the agency's first officer to be killed in the line of duty, and the first officer in Arizona to lose their in the line of duty.
"He loved more than anything, putting on this uniform every single day," said Pooley.
A procession of over 100 law enforcement officers escorted Pooley's body from the hospital to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office Sunday. A funeral is set for June 16, and a GoFundMe campaign has been started for his family.
"I know every one of my staff … we grow old together. I was hoping to grow old with Facio," Pooley said.
In a statement, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller said charges against the suspect will include murder.
"The individual responsible for this heinous act will be held fully accountable," he stated.
