Officer Gabriel Facio and other Apache Junction officers responded to a call about a man brandishing a firearm while driving. After officers effected a traffic stop, the man reportedly opened fire on the officers and Facio was hit and mortally wounded.
“A little piece of us was lost as Officer Facio took his last breath surrounded by family and friends. He was a beloved father, husband, son, brother, friend and police officer who showed his passion for people through his service to others,” Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley said in a Facebook statement.
The subject was wounded during the incident and is in custody, the AJPD said.